Special Education and Inclusive Sports Quiz

Educating Students with Special Needs

• Special education is designed to accommodate individual differences, disabilities, and special needs of students through teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, and accessible settings.

• Students with disabilities such as learning disabilities, physical disabilities, communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities may benefit from special education services.

• Gifted education is not considered special education because it is designed for students with high capabilities.

• Remedial education is designed for students who have reached a point of unpreparedness, regardless of whether they have special needs.

• Educators in developed countries modify teaching methods and environments to serve the maximum number of students in general education environments, which can reduce social stigmas and improve academic achievement for many students.

• Special education programs are individualized to address the unique combination of needs in each student, and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is used to address each child’s unique learning issues and include specific educational goals.

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law in the United States that requires every school system to provide a free and appropriate public education for every child, ages 3 to 22, regardless of how or how seriously that child may be disabled.

• Special schools are designed to provide appropriate special education for children with additional needs, while special units or classrooms are separate classrooms dedicated solely to the education of students with special needs within a larger school that also provides general education.

• Different instructional techniques are used for students with special educational needs, and instructional strategies are classified as being either accommodations or modifications.

• Accommodations may change the presentation, response, setting, or scheduling of lessons, while modifications may change or adapt the material to make it simpler.

• Related services include developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a student with learning disabilities and include speech and language pathology, audiology, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, music therapy, rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, medical services, parent counseling and training, school health services, school social work, assistive technology, and other appropriate developmental or corrective services.

• Early assessment of students with special needs can lead to faster accommodations, better education, and better outcomes for students.Issues and Approaches in Special Education

• Special education services vary by country, with some providing most related services through schools and others through healthcare and social services systems.

• Students with poor impulse control, behavioral challenges, or autism may receive self-management techniques, predictable schedules, or extra cues.

• Severe disabilities is a university field that focuses on community-referenced instruction and transition to adulthood.

• Rehabilitation counseling personnel are associated with supported employment services and transition to adulthood.

• At-risk students placed in classes with disabled students may impede the educational progress of disabled people.

• Inclusion in mainstream classrooms has been criticized because some students require different instructional methods.

• Some parents fear that special needs of one student will take attention away from the rest of the class.

• There is debate about whether disabled students require a specific pedagogy or if general instructional techniques are relevant to all students.

• Eligibility criteria for special education programs are sometimes protested by parents and students.

• Lack of resources in developing countries prevents 98% of children with special needs from accessing education.

• Budget cuts affect special education students who lack proper equipment or education.

• Disabled children often face constraints in accessing education, particularly in low and middle-income countries.Special Education Policies and Programs Around the World

• Special education policies and programs vary from country to country, but most aim to integrate students with special needs into regular schools with appropriate support.

• Students with special educational needs are entitled to accommodations and modifications, such as extra time and alternative test formats, in most countries.

• In Norway, the National Support System for Special Needs Education (Statped) offers services to ensure that children, young people, and adults with special needs receive appropriate educational and developmental provisions.

• In Turkey, students with special needs are provided special education from the Ministry of Education and receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• In the United States, all special-needs students receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines how the school will meet the student's individual needs. Schools are required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment that is appropriate to the student's needs.

• In Canada, inclusion is the dominant model, and accommodations are made for students with special needs during exams.

• Autism and Down syndrome are two disabilities that benefit from assistive technology, such as visual scene displays and slanted desks, respectively.

• Special education students can participate in sports, and organizations such as the Special Olympics hold annual competitions for disabled children.Adaptive Sports Summary

• Adaptive sports are tailored sports for individuals with disabilities.

• Organizations such as the Paralympic Games, Unified Sports, and S.T.R.I.D.E. Adaptive Sports provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports.

• Educational institutions can promote Adapted Physical Education to tailor sports for students with certain disabilities.

• Baseball athletes can participate in the Miracle League or Little League Challenger Division, while soccer athletes can participate in US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer or Just for Kicks.

• Other sports that can be adapted include track & field, quad rugby, tennis, bowling, and skiing.

• A 2021 study found that reducing the provision of special education services in Texas substantially reduced the high school completion rates and college enrollment rates of students with disabilities.

• Adaptive sports have a positive impact on the physical, social, and emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities.

• Adaptive sports can improve self-esteem, confidence, and independence.

• Participation in adaptive sports has been linked to improved mental health outcomes and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

• Adaptive sports can also help to promote inclusivity and reduce stigma towards individuals with disabilities.

• Adaptive sports are important for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among individuals with disabilities.

• Organizations that promote adaptive sports play a crucial role in creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports.