What supports are needed for integration of students with and without disabilities?

Answer 1

This is not a simple answer. Before a child with disabilities is mainstreamed into a regualr class, there is a whole lot of process that has already happened. The child has had a wide range of assesment testing and observations. Parents, teachers and doctors are often asked to fill out very detailed questionairres. Once all of this is done, and the child has been found to have a qualifying disability, they are put on an IEP (individualized education plan). The IEP is federal law and it garuantees the child recieve a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive enviroment possible. If the correct enviroment is determined to be mainstreamed into a regular class, then the parents, teacher and others meet to discuss how to implement the IEP and any of the adaptations the child may need into the classroom setting. These adaptations can range from where the child sits in the class, how the child is allowed to complete their work, getting extra time in testing situations to having a dedicated aide assigned to the child for all or part of the day to adaptive technology (things like use of computers, adaptive writing utensils, etc.). The teacher is supposed to be qualified by the state to have special needs students in her class, but admittedly this is not always the case. How this is introduced and explained to the other students is largely left to the teacher, sometimes with help from the child;s parents, but with often little more than a brief explanation. In many instances, a school will have several students mainstreaming in various classes, so often times the students are already aware of what it going on.

Many parents feel mainstreaming is the first and best choice for all disabled students, no matter what level of disability. Other parents prefer to find a balance between time in specialized classes and time in a regualr class. And still others feel that the needs of their child are best met in a specialized class with highly specialized educators. It can be a tough path to walk...many schools want to mainstream everyone and others prefer to keep most disabled kids in smaller, specialized classes. Ask parents for their stories and you will hear good and bad either way. The tirck is to know your rights, know the law and then be ready to stand up and ask...LOUDLY.

Answer 2

It is really dependent upon the disability and the school district. Some of the modifications or tools used might be used in one school district but not another. Supports include using a computer on turning in assignments, oral testing for quizes and tests, teacher's aid, and modified work to their grade level. However, there are many other modifications out there.

Answer 3

Well, a group of students who are integrated into a "General Ed" classroom sometimes require a separate teacher inside the classroom, called a "Teaching Aide/Teacher's Aide". It all depends on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) report's educational "accomodations".

Answer 4

basically depends on what types of disabilities you are talking about...it can be as simple as being sure the child gets to and from different therapies (speech or adaptive pe) or as complex as a child needs a full time aide with them in the classroom.

can also include a shortened day, a variety of toys and games that a child with a physical or mental issues needs to participate(with larger pieces or braille ), others need more encouragement to try new things or how to interact on an approiate manner, or in other cases need to be kept away from certain foods or other substances.

in various classrooms i have dealt with something as simple as needing to be sure a child was kept away from certain foods to a child who could only attend class for a minimum period of time per day based on the precariousness of the childs medical problems, and even have had both visually and audiologically challenged children.

Just remember as a former co teacher told me over 25 yrs ago---THEY ARE ALL CHILDREN FIRST!!!!!!

Answer 5

When a child is integrated into a classroom of regular ed students the child needs lessons modified to meet their needs. They also need an aide to help them as needed. The child may need adaptive aides as well.

Answer 6

the correct word is inclusion and the support needed is the full support of the principal of the school. without it, the general ed teachers will not be easy to work with and you NEED them!