Does anyone have any specific lesson plans/activities for including a child w/ special needs in public school?

Question

for example something that teaches diversity or demonstrates to the other students why this child is different...
thanks!

Answer 1

You don't need to demonstrate to other students how one child is different - they'll figure it out on their own, and unless the child has something llike brittle bone disease, and the other students need to be careful not to touch the child, chances are they don't need to know.

If there is a specific behavior the child has, such as drooling, talk to the kids about it and how to react to it. I have a student with autism who says swear words a lot. I talked to the older buddies we were working with about it, not laughing, replacement behaviors, etc. and they were terrific with him. They taught him to say heck instead of hell, darn instead of damn, and shoot instead of ... But they didn't need to know everything about his handicaps (he's also mentally handicapped), just enough to interact with him appropriately.

Instead, before the student comes to class do some handicapped simulations with the class. Put a couple of grapes in their mouth, make them tilt their head and hold a tennis ball between their neck and cheek and have them eat pudding or jell-o.

Tape their fingers together (I always ask for volunteers and tell the kids I don't want to end up on the 5:00 news for taping their fingers!) and have them try to button a shirt you put on them or tie their shoes.

Get an old pair of prescription glasses and smear vaseline on the lenses. Have the child put them on and try to read or tell time.

Give students an index card. Have them hold it on their foreheads and try to write their first and last name on it with their non-dominant hand, while it's still on their forehead.

Use a textbook that's way above their level and read it aloud really fast and ask them questions. When they can't answer them, say things like, Why not? Are you dumb? Everyone knows that. Talk about how that makes them feel and how kids with disabilities feel when they don't understand what's going on and others make fun of them.

At the end of these simulations talk to the kids about what it would be like to be handicapped and have to deal with this all day. Talk about how they would like to be treated if they were handicapped, or a parent or sibling. I always start off asking about handicapped people they know, and there's always someone who knows a handicapped person and has a story to share. I'm sure you can find more simulations online, too. The kids have a lot of fun with these activities, and they always volunteer after they realize it's not going to hurt.

Give the kids the info they need to know to help the child fit in, but be sure not to get too personal. If the child is going to have different or less work to do be sure to talk to the kids about that and explain that the child is working to their potential, just as you expect them to work to theirs.

Depending on the level of your students you might even want to create a research project for students. Each one (or in pairs) can pick a different condition - autism, Down's Syndrome, learning disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, cerebral palsy, MS, etc. and do a report on it. They can read about it, interview someone who has it (or experience with it), look up foundations, and present it to the class.

They can also create a web quest (or you can), present to another class/school, and create simulations to do for another class or the school. This can be an excellent learning experience for all of your students. Be sure to include the child with special needs - they should know what they have and how to deal with it, if that's cognitively and age appropriate.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I did this kind of stuff for my masters thesis except I did disability awareness with kindergarteners, and not much research had been done with kids that young. Personally, I did a whole week's unit, brought in guest speakers, came in in a wheelchair myself one day and we did role playing all day, including repeated role playing about how to approach someone that is different, how to ask a question they are curious about, etc. We did a blind lunch which was lots of fun, and the kids got to try out adaptive equipment. There are quite a few children's books about other people with disabilities, that's a good way to talk about topics you're not comfortable winging it on. There is also a national puppet group called Kids On the Block that does puppet shows about diversity topics, they get great reviews wherever they go. Also, for more ideas like the ones the previous responder gave you, you should watch Fat City Workshop.
Be sure that unless the parent of the disabled child requests that you speak to the class about their child, use only generalized topics and do not single the child out, there's major confidentiality/moral/ethical issues there.
Good luck!

Answer 3

The school can't force a placement but is obligated to comply with the current IEP (the last one signed to and agree to by you). However, if you feel services are not appropriate and/or the IEP is not being appropriately implemented, or if you do not agree with the school's offer for FAPE, you have the right to request an independent evaluation and/or withdraw consent. You also have many other rights (right to due process), which should be listed in the Parent Rights information packet that should have been given/offered to you prior to or at every IEP meeting. Obtaining a second opinion regarding your child's medical condition is also important. His difficulties may have more than one cause: psychiatric, situational, dietary, medical... Best of luck.

Answer 4

There are a lot of LP's out there for teaching tolerance and respecting differences. This would be a great start.

Answer 5

no