Can you suggest a topic about Special Education?

Question

A topic that's new and is really good. Thanks i need it so much for our upcoming Seminar.

Answer 1

I got it. On the horizon is the topic of Neurofeedback for ADHD/ADD and Specific Learning Disabilities. There are several scientific journals reporting GREAT success using this technique ( IQ jumps of 10-20 points) and PERMANENT improvement that is better than medication. There are lots of the studies on the internet, and even a few companies are attempting to convert the Neurofeedback technique into computer software to be used in schools. (SmartMemory) I came across it while researching ways to help my students with short term memory/recall issues. I am planning on researching more for my PIP next year. This could be the wave of the future for Spec.Ed, and be a long awaited alternative to medication.Currently, students must be recommened by a pediatric neurologist, and people who are trained are in the medical field only. You must visit a center for sessions. It would be great if the education field and the medical field could work together to remediate these issues permanently at an early age. ( Briefly, Neurofeedback is basically computer aided "games" that encourage new pathways to be created in the brain.) Be careful...it is NOT Biofeedback....much of that is a sham. Type Neurofeedback on Google.

Answer 2

That's pretty broad! BBut here's three:

1) What steps could be taken to reduce the numbers of minority (esp. ESL) pupils innapropriately placed under Individual Education Plans (IEPs)? Take a look at Richard Valencia "Evolution of Deficit Thinking"

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of the IEP versus a Section 504 plan? When is an IEP the appropriate and when is the student better served under Section 504

3) Take a historical perspective. for example--take a look at these two books that give excellent and thought-provoking perspectives on early education of the deaf and blind. And--for your seminar, think about what relevance those experiences have for us today (believe me, they are VERY relevant!):
Baynton "Forbidden signs"
Freeberg "The Education of Laura Bridgeman"

Answer 3

Autism has been a pretty hot topic. Cases of occurances have increased and still rising. There are several topics in education that can be used relatingto autism.

1. What methods of learning work best with autistic children?
2. Can autistic children be placed in regular classrooms?
3. How do autistic children learn?
4. Classroom manegement practices in a autistic learning enviroment.
5. Integrating a rewards and punishment plan in an austistic learning environment.

Answer 4

As a special education teacher of students who have profound mental disabilities (IQ's usually less than 25) I find this a forgotten area. Even in college you learned extensively about autism but never touched on this area. I would have loved for someone to have talked about
- how to use assitive technology in the classroom for these students?
- what educational goals are appropriate for students with such profound cognitive impairments?
-How to include such students in mainstream activities with the general education students?
I have found teaching this area to be rewarding but frustrating at times. this seems to be an area where you are thrown in with no curriculum, no support, no training, and no advice. I would have loved it if some professor or someone would have touched on this subject in college. Every time we have an intern they are overwhelmed because they have been taught about learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and autism. Many do not even realize that when the graduate that this is a population of students they might teach. Most think that mentally handicapped are students with autism or downs syndrome only.

I have now been working in this class for 8 years and have designed my own program but do understand why when I was hired I was told that most teachers stay only 2 years or less.

Answer 5

Asperger's, the highly functioning Austistic person might be sitting right next to you and you may not even be aware of it.

Indigo children (highly controversial)

Gifted and talented (trouble in the classroom with these super too smart for their own good kids are falling through the educational learning cracks and dropping out more than any other type of student)

Answer 6

The special education spectrum is very broad it not only includes children with Learning Differences, But children who have physical disabilities and those who have psychiatric disabilities. You would first have to decide which area you would want to talk about. Autism is getting a lot of publicity but the biggest area of LD besides developmental disabilities is the non verbal kind like dyslexia, dyscalculia(math) and dysgraphia (writing) and processing issues. So your first issues is which do you want to cover and how much research do you want to do? I hope that this helps.

Answer 7

This is a great topic and question I would love to have answered:
"Why are parents ignored reqarding their child's special education needs?"

Answer 8

Getting parents more involved with IEP's at the secondary level

Answer 9

Why are there so few (any) standardized tests to determine a profoundly Deaf students ASL ability.