CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

(SPEECH, VISION, HEARING & ORTHOPEDIC)

SPEECH DISORDER
Speech disorders refer to several conditions in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others.
Three common speech disorders are: Articulation disorders Disfluency Voice disorders

CHARACTERISTICS / SYMPTOMS
Difficulty in pronouncing words No fluency in pronouncing and they frequently stammer Relates to rough husky tones and out of pitch

Difficulty in understanding terms or words

Eye blinking while talking

Pausing during a sentence or words, often with the lips together

CAUSES
Problems or changes in the structure or shape of the muscles and bones used to make speech sounds These changes may include cleft palate and tooth problems Damage to parts of the brain or the nerves (such as from cerebral palsy) that control how the muscles work together to create speech

* Acid from the stomach moving upward * Cancer of the throat *Cleft palate or other problems with the palate *Conditions that damage the nerve that supply muscle of the vocal cords

METHOD OF HELPING
Give enough time to respond Encourage them to respond in writing

Communication / Speech / Audiological Therapy

Help the children by being a suitable model (repeating words clearly and slowly or using audio equipment)

Prevent stuttering / stammering

VISION PROBLEMS
Visual problems is the acceptable generic term that refers to all levels of vision loss. Most children considered visually impaired have some usable vision. Even those considered blind often can tell the difference between light and dark.

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS
Losing place while reading
Skipping lines or losing your place while reading can be a sign of a vision problem

Covering one eye to read or watch television

A child who covers one eye to read is simply shutting the eye with the poorer vision off so that it does not interfere with their vision. Covering one eye can also be a sign of double vision.

Finger pointing while reading

Finger pointing while reading is not always a bad sign. However, it can be sign of an uncorrected vision problem such as amblyopia.

Squinting
Squinting is much like looking through a pinhole. Peeking through a small opening reduces the size of the blurred image on the back of the retina.

Sitting too close to the television

Sitting very close to the television or lowering the head while reading is often a sign of nearsightedness. Nearsighted people generally have clear vision at a close range and poor vision at a distance.

Rubbing eyes and Light sensitivity Excessive tearing

Children often have lag ophthalmus, a condition which causes the eyes to dry out at night because the eyelids do not completely close while sleeping. This can cause excessive tearing during the day that interferes with good vision. Rubbing the eyes is a sign of eye fatigue and can be a sign of all types of vision problems. Children with exotropia, occasionally squint one eye when exposed to bright sunlight. This may be interpreted as light sensitivity.

CAUSES

Prematurity, low birth weight, oxygen at birth, or bleeding in the brain

Family history or genetic disease

Injury to the eye Diseases of cornea Diseases of retina and optic nerve

Problems with the central nervous system such as developmental delay, cerebral palsy, seizures, or hydrocephalus.

METHOD OF HELPING
Tape-record portions of textbooks, trade books, and other printed materials so students can listen to an oral presentation of necessary material.

When using the chalkboard, use white chalk and bold lines. Also, be sure to say out loud whatever you write on the chalkboard. Provide clear oral instructions.

Partner the student with other students who can assist or help.

Seat the students with visual problems near the blackboard or in front of the class so that they can see clearly.

Turns the volume up loud on the TV and other electronic devices Respond inappropriately to questions

Not reply when you call him/her Complain of earaches, ear pain or head noises Have difficulty understanding what people are saying

Genetic
Infections Problems relating to birth Malformation

Mothers condition during pregnancy

 Use sign language Seat the child near a peer Allow the child to move around in the room in order to clearly see the speaker Reduce Noise in the Environment Avoid yelling or speaking loudly. Do not turn your back to these children when giving instruction. Know how to care for hearing aids

CHARACTERISTICS
The students with this problem always detected with these characteristic Stiff Joint Lack of Coordination Always Stumble Very Passive And etc

METHOD OF HELPING
Special Furniture
A child in a wheelchair, or a child with a spinal problem, may require some special chair or table. Discuss these issues with the parents. If the child is finding it difficult to sit on the regular classroom chair, it will be worth considering getting a special chair for him for the classroom. The child will be spending a lot of his time everyday in the classroom. Moreover, if a child is not seated comfortably, learning and writing can be very difficult.

Modified Writing aids

Children with orthopedic impairment in their upper limb may benefit from writing aids. Writing aids include writing boards, special paper, pencil grips, and special pencil holders. Children with coordination problems may also benefit from a weighted vest. As a teacher you can help by emphasizing on learning the concept and giving the child a little extra time to write.

Modified Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities

Having a child with an orthopedic impairment in your classroom will require some modification in the lesson plans. Plan activities in such a way that all children, including the child with the orthopedic impairment can participate. This can be done by adapting the materials you provide, assigning a helper, or allotting a task that they will be able to do independently.

Inclusive Classroom
- The greatest barrier to inclusion is usually not architectural. Its often teasing and exclusion by peers. So prepare your class to receive and include a child with an orthopedic impairment. Talk about how they need to care for and treat the child. Talk about how that child is just like them and thinks and feels just like them. - Assign responsibilities for one child to help him go to the toilet, one child to sit with him in class, another child to accompany him during lunch break. The responsibilities will give the children opportunities to get to know the child better. - In class, focus on the childs abilities. Focus on the fact that we are all different, and need to accept each other.

Most Important thing is

Children with orthopedic impairment have normal intelligence and dont need a special curriculum. What they need from you is acceptance, and a little adjustment. Theyll contribute more to your classroom than what you could ever contribute to them.