Definitions of terms related to Special Education
Special Education is commonly known as education of physically or mentally impaired children whose needs cannot be met in an ordinary classroom.
Disability, Impairment, and Handicap:
Disability is the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. The International labor organization defines it as “any activity restriction that prevents an individual from getting a job”.
Handicap is the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. This word is now substituted with impairment. This word is being discarded.
Impairment refers to any reduction in physical, sensory or physiological function. If the impairment interferes with the process of education or work, it becomes disability.
Some major impairment –
1. Visual impairment
2. Hearing impairment
3. Locomotors problems
4. Mental retardation
5. Learning disability
6. Autism
7. Cerebral palsy
8. Multiple disabilities
Varieties of settings for imparting education are there.
1. Home-based education – trained professionals go to the home and teach basic survival skills, activities of daily living, or do parental counseling
2. Special class – a class in an ordinary school where children with special needs are taught as in special schools.
3. Special school – educate the children with disability using trained teachers and special equipments.
4. Itinerant teacher model – an itinerant teacher covers around eight schools. The frequency of visit depends on the distance and transport facility. The traveling teacher is usually used in those areas where the population of children with special needs is widely scattered. The function of the itinerant teacher include understanding the problems of child with disability, using appropriate method to teach, to assist child perform activities, and to advise the class teacher on the use of those practices that could be used with all children.
5. Resource room model – a room is equipped with some basic appliances needed for educating usually one category children. There the child is provided remedial tutoring or extra assistance that the child needs.
6. Dual teaching – here the teacher teaches the same subject after the school hour in great depth to the children with special needs, giving them individual attention.
7. Consultant model – the consultant teacher works with a regular teacher, coordinates comprehensive services for the child.
8. Para-Teachers –a kind of semi trained assistant teacher who meet the special needs of the child by repetitive assistance.
9. Alternative schools – used for children who cannot make it to the formal school system.
10. Inclusive schools – which educates all students in the mainstream, irrespective of their learning or physical difficulties.