Understanding Reading Disabilities

Inclusive Education

• The text simulates what it might be like for someone with a reading disability to read, emphasizing the challenges faced by people with disabilities daily.
• Teachers sometimes perceive students with reading disabilities as lazy. However, this should be avoided; instead, teachers should empathize with individual students' unique challenges.
• Many people with reading disabilities expend a lot of energy trying to understand what they are reading and may end up with no comprehension at all.
• Common compensatory strategies used by individuals with reading disabilities include spotting patterns, recognizing letter reversals, and reading the words in context.
• Accommodations in schools can include audiobooks, allowing students to listen to text while they read it.
• Reading disabilities impact individuals in all aspects of life that involve written language.
• "People First Language" is important when referring to people with disabilities: use "has" instead of "is," and put the person first.
• Avoid using terms like "handicapped" or "retarded."

Special Education

• Special education involves specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability.
• Around 10% of public school students are identified as needing special education.
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that governs the education of children with disabilities.
• IDEA mandates that students with disabilities be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• LRE aims to keep students with disabilities in their neighborhood school as much as possible, integrated with peers without disabilities.
• LRE requires bringing services to the child in general education, providing support to general education teachers, and ensuring the child benefits from the education.
• Remember that each child has unique needs.

Co-teaching and Adaptations

• Co-teaching is a key element in Iowa's special education delivery model, where general education and special education teachers work together in the classroom.
• The goal of co-teaching is to meet the needs of special education students within the general education classroom.
• Adaptations are changes made to the environment, instruction, materials, or assessments to enhance a student's participation, success, or independence.
• Any school activity can be adapted for any student.
• Adaptations must be age-appropriate, look similar to peers' work, and be approved or accepted by the student.

IEPs and Disability Terminology

• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are blueprints for a child's special education, including annual goals, special education services, settings, accommodations, and more.
• IEPs must be written by a team of knowledgeable individuals, including parents.
• IEPs must be reviewed at least once a year.
• Traditionally, impairment refers to a body structure or organ problem, disability is a functional limitation, and handicap is a disadvantage in fulfilling a role in life compared to peers.

This quiz explores the challenges individuals with reading disabilities face in educational settings. It emphasizes the importance of empathy from teachers and discusses compensatory strategies and accommodations that can support these learners. Through this quiz, gain insights into creating an inclusive learning environment.