Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities.

     As teachers I believe that it is important to understand that every student is unique. Each student presents their own challenges and problems when it comes to learning a new lesson. Most students may grasp the lesson more easily than others and some need that a little bit more.Such student who may find it difficult to participate in the learning process are children with disabilities. We will be discussing how can teachers create/ revise lesson plans and activities to be more inclusive & create opportunities for these students to advocate fro themselves in/out of the classroom. 

     Creating a personalized lesson plan for every student is a difficult challenge but it is possible to create a lesson plan that accommodates every students educational needs. In my experience students learn much more when it is presented to them in the form of visual presentation. Not only does it grab they're attention but it gives them an idea of what lesson will be about. Whether the student has a disability or not, visuals or audio cues can make students more tentative and begin to think critically of what is being presented. Of course we cannot ignore that such students need a unique and flexible approach. 

     Students with disabilities are constantly aware of their surroundings and think about how they are perceived in class. It is important that we understand their needs but not harshly effect how we treat them. It is a balance of seeing that student as apart of the classroom and not making them feel that they require such needs, while at the same time being mindful of their needs. Flexibility and engage in positive interaction are key features with working with such students. Another challenge is the other students who may find it difficult to interact/ socialize with students with disabilities. 

     An article by Nicole Eredics on friendshipcircle.org gives some helpful tips for introducing students with disabilities into the classroom. She writes, "Transitioning students with disabilities from self contained special education classrooms to inclusive general education is not an overnight process. It requires thoughtful planning" (Eredics). Keys features of her article are establishing basic principals that everyone is different & has areas of strengths and areas of weaknesses. Another feature is dispelling the myths that people with disabilities are people first and regardless of the physical disability, it does not determine their intelligence. Lastly, creating a positive classroom community , meaning encouraging respect for others and be pro-active in social skills. All these features are important in helping student with disabilities become more integrated into the classroom and not feel that they cannot learn or make friends. 

    Those who get into the teaching profession need to understand that we will encounter students with such needs and we must plan accordingly and be prepared for the unique challenges. Kirsten Slyter, a content writer for Rasmussen College, writes "stress is unavoidable in most jobs but particularly so when teaching special education students [...] Part of the challenge of being a special education teacher is managing the wide variety of students and their capabilities [...] Simply put, it takes skill and plenty patience to explain a concept to a child whether they have special needs or not!" (Slyter). It is an uphill battle but Teaching has its benefits and I am not referring to salary or holidays off. Although it is stressful, the results will be worth it. Seeing students overcome these barriers is rewarding in itself. As a teacher we wont to see all our students succeed and with the extra effort in our part, they can achieve that to be successful in their life and that is whats so satisfying to know. 

    In conclusion, Teachers need to understand the needs of all their students. It is our responsibility to create lessons/activities that are appropriate for everyone and still meets our student's educational needs. Teachers must establish an environment that promotes healthy academic growth and be mentally prepared for the challenges that each students presents. It is our responsibility that we understand each student unique learning ability and special needs so that our students can be successful and productive citizens.

Works Cited

Eredics, N. (2017, September 24). 8 Tips for Introducing a Student with Disabilities to an Inclusive Classroom. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2017/09/28/8-tips-introducing-student-disabilities-general-education-classroom/

Slyter, K. (2019, March 4). 9 Things You Need to Know Before Working with Special Needs Students. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/working-with-special-needs-students/