Understanding Severe Disabilities and Special Education
Understanding Severe Disabilities
What are severe disabilities in children?
Children with severe disabilities are those who, because of the intensity of their physical, mental, or emotional problems (or a combination thereof), need educational, social, psychological, and medical services beyond those traditionally offered by regular or special education programs.
What behaviors are commonly seen in children with severe disabilities?
- Little or no communication
- Delays in physical and motor development
- Frequent inappropriate behaviors
- Poor constructive interaction and behavior
What are the general principles of educational programs for these children?
- Functionality
- Age-appropriateness
- Interactions with people without disabilities
- Community integration
Physical and Health Disorders
Name five possible underlying causes of cerebral palsy:
- Injuries, accidents, or illnesses (pre-, peri-, or postnatal)
- The mother’s intellectual disability
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- This item seems incomplete or incorrect (“Late Lament”). It should be reviewed and corrected based on reliable sources.
What should you consider when a child with a physical disability enters an educational setting?
- Modify the physical space to be used by the student.
- The establishment must have ramps for easy access.
- Activities should be adapted to integrate the child.
- Monitor the child’s positions to prevent harm from prolonged postures.
- Teach the entire school community to ensure that all children have the same right to occupy a place in their families, schools, and community.
- It is very important to teach these children that they can achieve many things if they work hard.
According to Surgis, what are the four objectives for an educational program?
- Physical independence, including control of daily activities.
- Self-knowledge and social maturity.
- Academic growth.
- Vocational education, including constructive recreational activities.
Multidisciplinary Teams in Special Education Schools
What are multidisciplinary teams responsible for?
Multidisciplinary teams are responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, advising, supervising, and evaluating the integral development of the educational process.
Name one of the objectives of the technical bureaus:
To promote the integration of children with disabilities into their community and provide necessary technical advice as appropriate.
Name one of the functions that the technical bureaus must fulfill in relation to the student:
Conduct individual or group-specific treatments in appropriate cases and according to plan.
Transdisciplinary Team
What is meant by a transdisciplinary team?
It is an integrated treatment team, rarely seen in the educational system, in which professionals combine, teach, and learn mutually. They develop and strengthen teaching and learning in all educational areas, such as cognitive, physical, and social.
Name at least four members of the transdisciplinary team and note the role of one of them:
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Audiologist
- Differential educators and teachers in general
Psychologist’s Role:
- Detect, diagnose, and treat learning problems.
- Promote the acquisition and development of cognitive skills in learning.
In relation to the student, what role does the transdisciplinary team play?
Assess and diagnose the student’s special educational needs in interaction with their family, social, and educational (institutional – ally) contexts. This serves as a basis for decision-making regarding the educational response that each student requires.