Parenting a Gifted Child: Classroom Engagement
Does your child excel at school or in other areas? Learn how you can be certain that your gifted student’s needs are being met in the classroom.
Special Ed Information for Teachers & Parents
Today’s classrooms are changing rapidly. An increasing number of identified students are educated within the mainstream school system. Laws governing the education of students, including those with disabilities, impact the funding of schools as well as what subjects are taught. Technological advances are often at war with shrinking school budgets, resulting in difficult budgetary choices that can seem at odds with governmental demands to raise educational standards. Indeed, parents, teachers and school communities face complex questions and issues regarding special education in the 21st century.
Explore the wide and diverse arena of special education, from neurological disorders to gifted students, to learning disabilities, to physical impairments. There are articles on that cover the principals of IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), FAPE (Free and Appropriate Education), and LRE (Least Restrictive Environment). There are modified lesson plans for teachers and advice and resources for parents on how to work with the school system to meet the educational needs of their child. All articles are written and vetted by experienced voices within the education system, including professors, special ed teachers and assistants, and parents of children with special needs. We look forward to working together to make this area a trusted source of information on the technology and issues that affect the future of our children.
The Role of Early Childhood Technical Assistance for Children with Disabilities
Children with communication disorders and/or other disabilities frequently do not perform at the same level as their same-aged peers. The rise of computer-based software use for children with disabilities has proven that children with disabilities can learn these skills.
Early Childhood Education: Providing Accessible Play Opportunities for Children with Physical Disabilities
For children with physical disabilities, exploring their environment through movement and play can be challenging. Creating an appropriate setting that provides access to materials and independence to explore and interact is essential to prevent learning deficiencies in all developmental domains.
Autism in Preschool and Kindergarten: Learn Strategies That Really Will Help
If a child you know has been diagnosed with autism, here are some helpful strategies that can help you set up an appropriate learning environment, aid with communication challenges, and encourage social interactions with peers.
Navigate Autism & Help Your Child Learn to Fly
As a developmental disorder, the difficulties associated with autism can grow and change across age. This makes it difficult for parents and teachers to know exactly which aspects to support or what to fight for. Learn some of the first steps you should take, and aids you may need on your journey.
Book Modifications Teachers Can Make for Children with Visual Impairments
How can teachers help children with visual challenges enjoy and explore early literacy using adapted materials? How can teachers make books and literature come alive for children who cannot see and cannot experience books in the same manner as a typically seeing child?
Incorporate Independent Study to Challenge Gifted Learners in the Elementary Classroom
Finding appropriate ways to challenge the gifted learner in the general classroom can be a daunting task. An independent study is the answer.
Art Activities for All: Adapting Art Projects, Materials and Methods for Students with Disabilities
Art is one way in which children experiment and explore the world around them. But what can we do as teachers to support the art experience for children with physical disabilities?
Young Children with Disabilities: How Play and Learning Skills are Affected
A disability or developmental delay can affect how a child plays, the kind of play the child engages in and the child’s ability to use play as a path to learning. A disability can include anything from communication issues to multiple limitations of movement and mobility.
6 Tips to Help Students with Special Needs Focus: Help Students with Learning Difficulties Stay on Task With These Six Proven Strategies
Students with ADHD and other learning disabilities often struggle to stay focused on the task at hand. Falling behind in just one class can have a detrimental affect on their learning all year. Here are six tips and strategies to help students maintain their focus.
How Parents Can Help Children with Learning Challenges Be Successful in School
Students with learning challenges are not the only ones who struggle. Their parents and teachers encounter challenges working to ensure these children receive the education and attention they need and deserve. Learn some ways to help your child attain success in school.
What Causes Stuttering? Misconceptions, Myths and Facts About People Who Stutter
People are often uncertain about how to respond to someone who stutters. While you want to be helpful, saying or doing the wrong thing could embarrass you both or result in hurt feelings. Learning causes and triggers of stuttering can help you react appropriately.
Technology Tips for Parents of Children with Learning Difficulties
In our age of vast technology and all of the changes that have influenced education, there are more tools than ever to help kids with learning problems. Some of these tools are implemented by the school while others can be used at home.
Using Model Magic to Experiment with Textures: Inclusive Art Activity
Students of all ability levels can be successful in this fun art activity that has students explore texture using nontraditional tools.
Recyled Paper & Hula Hoop Chandeliers: A Collaborative Art Project for the Inclusive Classroom
Students of all ability levels can be successful in this team based activity where student combine recycled art with collaborative art to practice positive social interactions.
Jackson Pollock Spray Bottle Art: An Accessible Art Project
Students of all ability levels can be successful in this fun art activity that explores a somewhat controlled splatter paint art project.
4 Free Art iPad Apps to Use for Students with Special Needs: Art Through Technology
Infuse some technology into art for students of all ability levels in this fun art lesson using free iPad apps!
Executive Functions of the Brain: What They Are and How We Can Improve Them
There has been ample discussion on the executive functions in recent years and the popular topic has emerged from being largely contained to the medical scene to expanding far into the educational arena.
Understanding Evaluations for Special Education Eligibility: Help for Parents
For many families, choosing to have their child evaluated to dismiss, detect, or confirm a learning disability is an intimidating process. There are various motives for pursuing educational testing and it can be an excellent tool for parents and educators to help a student in need.
Tracking the Growth of a Plant with Graphic Organizers & a Blog: Science Activity for Differentiated Learning
Science allows for some excellent group activities in the inclusion classroom. Here is one lesson plan that incorporates hands-on learning, organization skills, and technology.