Introduction
Difficulty with independent functioning impacts overall outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. The National Research Council identified the development of independent skills for students with disabilities as one of the six recommended areas for intervention and instruction (Hume & Reynolds, 2010). Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and other developmental disabilities often rely on the presence of an adult to remain engaged or to complete activities, (Stamer and Schreibman, 1992). Hume, Loftin and Lantz, (2009), indicated that adults with ASD, despite IQ scores above 50, rely heavily on others for support in employment, daily living, and relationships. Promoting independent engagement and performance of classroom activities and decreasing dependence on adults is an important objective when teaching students with disabilities (Hall, McClannahan, & Krantz, 1995). Some of the most successful interventions targeting increased independent skills in students with developmental disabilities emphasize a shift in stimulus control from continuous adult management during instruction to an alternative stimulus. Stimulus control refers to a verbal, physical or gestural prompt from another individual. This shift in stimulus control is vital in increasing student independence across settings (Hume, Loftin, Lantz, 2009). This shift increases their independence by transferring reliance on an individual to an alternative stimulus such as a visual support. This alternative support can then transition across environments and grows with the student as they progress through their education. One method of shifting this stimulus is structured teaching. The Treatment and Education of Autistic and r...
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...ce educators could use to create effective programming for students identified with developmental disabilities. With the evidence supporting the use of structured teaching strategies, specifically the work system, for students with ASD, it would be constructive to generalize this intervention to students with other developmental disabilities.
This study seeks to extend the findings of earlier research supporting the use of structured work systems with individuals with ASD to individuals with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the proposed study will evaluate the following questions:
1. Will the implementation of structured work systems decrease prompt dependency in students with developmental disabilities,
2. Will the structured work system increase time on task,
3. Will work completion increase as a result of implementation of a work system?
With a wealth of literature touting the benefits of CTE and some progressive schools and school districts already with successful programs with proven track records, it is not the knowledge that the rest of us lack but the will and the attitude. This paper seeks to make the case for the rapid expansion and implementation of CTE programs for students with disabilities in schools and school districts across Western Florida. As well, by exploring existing programs and courses of study, this research will outline best practices,...
This source highlighted different approaches taken by schools, teachers, and aides that work closely with persons with ASD. While states offer equal educational opportunities to students, it is important for the individual to understand what their needs are when choosing a school or program. While mainstreaming students with ASD into normal learning environments can be beneficial to personal development, it can also be damaging if the students is not emotionally prepared. This type of frustration can cause the individual with ASD to exhibit problematic behavior or cause them to develop
Students with disabilities are not the only students who can benefit from creative tasks, projects, and assessments. A positive and caring approach to dealing with all student regardless of culture, disability or any other thing that make then different from the norm is key to the success of all concerned.
Solovieva, T. I., Wallsh, R. T., Hendricks, D. J., & Dowler, D. L. (2010). Workplace personal assistance services for people with disabilities: Making productive employment possible. Journal of Rehabilitation, 76(4), 3-8.
Students with learning disabilities can learn; each student has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. Educators must continue to focus on the strengths of each student and building on them, creating a stronger student and person. Identifying the weakness is at the core of getting a student help with their learning disability, but after this initial identification and placement, the focus should shift to the strengths and adjusting the student’s schoolwork to reflect these strengths. For instance, if a student is weak in reading but has wonderful group interaction skills and is good with his or her hands, the students' reading tasks should then be shifted to reflect these st...
Reiff, H. B.; Ginsberg, R.; and Gerber, P. J. "New Perspectives on Teaching from Successful Adults with Learning Disabilities." Remedial and Special Education 16, no. 1 (January 1995): 29-37. (EJ 497 555)
Autistic children are isolated from most schools, socially and within the classroom. Although most children with auti...
Students with high incidence disabilities or HID are the most common in schools. The group of high incidence disabilities include students with emotional, behavioral or mild intellectual disabilities as well as those with autism, speech or language impairments and attention deficit disorder (Gage et al., 2012). Students with HID are usually taught within the general education classroom. There are either co-teachers or a resource teacher that takes the students out of the general education classroom for short periods of time to work in a more individual, structured environment (Per...
Students with disabilities who are in self-contained classrooms struggle with many issues pertaining to independence. In their classrooms they become more dependent on their teachers and classroom peers (Jones & Hensley, 2012). This is the opposite of what is needed for these students (Jones & Hensley, 2012). Learning is a full circle process, which encompasses more than academics. In order for students with disabilities to obtain a complete education, inclusion in social dynamics should be an integral part of their learning environment (Arnon, Shamai, & Ilatov, 2008).
Students with learning disabilities in the regular classroom may have challenges that require special attention. If the teacher is able to identify the disabilities and the features associated with them then the teacher can tailor the lessons to meet the needs of the students. These may include differentiated instruction and facilitating an inclusive classroom which will see inclusive strategies employed that will cater to the needs of students with learning disabilities. These inclusive strategies can range from individualized learning programs to team and co-teaching. In some cases, the teacher can arrange for a special education teacher or arrange for a pull out program to assist students who have learning disabilities. Strategies that will also cater to learning disabilities may also include the use of technology. According to Ford 2013 ‘In some situations it may be best for students with LD to be taught in separate pull out classrooms with a teacher who can provide targeted skill instruction in areas where a student is struggling.’ ‘When provided appropriate support within this setting, many of these students can achieve academically and develop positive self-esteem and social skills. (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 1991). They also recommend that schools should ‘require in-service programs for all school personnel to give them the knowledge and skills necessary to provide education for students with learning disabilities in the regular education classroom.’ Schools should include activities to help participants learn strategies to meet individual needs of students, foster attitudes conductive to educating students with learning disabilities in the regular education classroom, and promote
In a study by Schmit, Alper, and Raschke (2000), the effects of using a photographic cueing system during routine school transitions with a child who has autism were evaluated. The use of a pictorial visual support system indicated to the student that an activity change was about to occur. The target student was a 6-year-old boy who lived in a rural, Midwestern community; his family included his biological parents and a sister without disabilities, who was 5 years older than Alex. Alex was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, and at the time of the study was not verbal except for saying the word “no”. The setting of the study took place in a public school special education classroom that Alex attended four days a week. Beginning approximate...
Marks, S. et. al. (2003). Instructional Management Tips for Teahers of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Teaching Exceptional Children, 35 (4), 50-55.
Browser B.A. (2001) With fewer expectations, children with disabilities have not yet achieved commensurately with their peers in regular classes. Likewise, students with learning disabilities have not been able to accomplish the level of low achieving of children that are not disabled. In the manual, Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) Van De Zande.
Education is a profession which requires a teacher to be able to communicate with a multitude of students on a variety of levels. There is not a class, or student for that matter, that is identical. Therefore, teachers must be able to identify and help educate students from all different types of backgrounds and at different levels. Teaching a singular subject presents difficulties, but teaching students with disabilities should not be one. There are three main teaching areas that need to be focused on when teaching a student with a learning disability. Teachers need to focus on the strategies that will assist students with reading comprehension skills, writing skills, and maintaining appropriate behaviors in a classroom setting.
There are numerous careers related to special needs, all of which require different schooling, training, mentorships, and other types of preparation. Any type of job working with children with mental and physical disabilities can be challenging but also very rewarding when one sees the child improve (Tyrer, 2007). Different types of careers affect special needs children in different ways. For example a teacher will help them thrive in school, while other careers may help the kids improve at home or in a public setting. Special needs workers should be creative, flexible, and personable to be able to meet the needs of the child and also provide useful information for the child’s parents. It is important for one to at least complete minimal required training so one will be fully prepared to work with a child with any type of delay. Often children in schools do not improve at a higher rate because their teacher may not have the necessary training to assist them (Marković, 2014). No matter what special needs career someone chooses, everyone should have one common goal: to help special needs children thrive. Marković from the article “Work with Kids with Special Needs” puts it perfectly when she states, “the main aim is that children with disabilities get the chance to grow, learn, and socialize with children with normal development, and that these children can adapt and learn together with children with special needs. In this way, they develop understanding, tolerance, and humanity” (Marković,