Special Education

While there are still some individuals who equate special education with retarded children, many people now recognize that it encompasses much more than that.  Special education caters to the special needs of people who have either mental or physical impairments or both.  These impairments can include intellectual issues such as mental retardation, sensory issues concerning hearing and vision, speech problems, learning disabilities like dyslexia and even behavioral issues like emotional disturbances and phobias. 

Special education sounds exactly what it is – a special way of providing instruction in a way that addresses the problems of an individual with impairment.  Because each person is different, there may be specific curriculums for them in which to maximize their learning potential.  Special education may include individual teaching as well as teaching as a team.  Therapeutic environments may be necessary to conduct special education classes depending on the level of a person’s disability.

In order to qualify for special education, a parent or guardian must request special testing for their child or ward.  Typically, the candidate’s history, both social and medical, will be examined.  Also, a psychological profile is created along with details of their educational background. Professional evaluations may be taken utilizing the services of psychologists, various therapists, counselors and more.  Once the test results are complete, a meeting is instigated between the school professionals and the parent or guardian to determine which special education classes are needed, if any. 

On some occasions, a traditional publicly-funded school will not be able to prove the necessary special education classes that are necessary to promote further learning in an impaired individual.  In these instances, alternate special education options are typically given that could encompass anything from the need of a special companion to accompany a student to class to a special school for a specific disability.

If you have a child who may require special education, please note that there are federal laws in place to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to quality instruction.  The Department of Education within the United States government acts as a clearinghouse for all law pertaining to education, especially special education.