Special education is and will increase in the population from now on and in the future. Since the passage of P.L. 94-142, special education has never been fully funded, and it currently receives insufficient funding for students in need of services. So it will continue to put pressure on teachers, administrators, and families. Many teachers and administrators are uncomfortable and unsure of how to best provide and serve students with special needs. We need to think outside the box to find solutions and provide services for the students in need.
Here are five quick suggestions on how to better serve students with special needs
- Take time to ask the child how they are thinking about the problem. Younger students observe what they usually do to understand information and provide more support in their mode of learning.
- Listen to the child. Even if the child says they do not know the answer, ask them what they think, because everyone thinks.
- Provide a variety of approaches to teach the information. Remember, there is no “one-size” that fits everyone. Everyone learns differently.
- Observe how they think about a problem or subject. Document what you observed.
- Have the children make manipulatives to help them learn better.
