What is Special Education?

In this episode we will learn the history of, the clinical definition of, and the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, understand how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is identified, and the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learn about the psychological and behavioral characteristics of learners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, understand educational and medication considerations for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and how professionals assess progress to help plan educational strategies, and learn about issues that should be considered with respect to early intervention and transition to adulthood for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In this episode, we will learn the definition of learning disabilities; how to identify learning disabilities; and the prevalence of learning disabilities and the difference in prevalence between genders, identify the causes of learning disabilities, learn about the psychological and behavioral characteristics of learners with learning disabilities, understand some of the educational considerations for people with learning disabilities and how professionals assess progress to help plan educational strategies, and learn about issues that should be considered with respect to early intervention and transition to adulthood for individuals with learning disabilities.

In this episode we will understand why the term intellectual disabilities is used rather than mental retardation, how professionals define intellectual disabilities, and the prevalence of intellectual disabilities, learn the causes of intellectual disabilities, learn about assessments used to identify intellectual disabilities and some of the psychological and behavioral characteristics of learners with intellectual disabilities, understand some of the educational considerations for people with intellectual disabilities and how professionals assess progress in academics and adaptive behavior, and learn about issues that should be considered with respect to early intervention and transition to adulthood for learners with intellectual disabilities.

In this episode, we will learn how professionals’ views of parents and families have evolved, learn about the effects of having a child with a disability on the family, understand Family Systems Theory, families’ involvement in social supports, interventions, behavioral supports, collaboration with school professionals, and parent advocacy.

In this episode, we will understand the major issues in multicultural education and bilingual education and their implications for special education, understand the major issues about the disproportionate representation of ethnic minority students in special education, understand the major issues in assessment as it pertains to culturally diverse populations, and understand the major issues of instruction for culturally diverse populations.

In this episode, we will understand how students are evaluated and identified for special education services, including the use of Response to Intervention (RTI), understand the intent of special education law as it pertains to individualized education programs (I E Ps), individualized family service plans (I F S Ps), and transition plans for adolescents with disabilities, learn the various placement options and how they relate to least restrictive environment (L R E), the inclusion of students with disabilities, and implementing inclusive teaching practices, understand the roles of general and special educators in providing exceptional learners an individualized education program, learn about integration of people with disabilities into society, including self-determination, universal design, and use of technology, and become aware of the impact of standards-based reform on special education!

In this episode we will become oriented to exceptionality and special education, understand the educational definition of exceptional learners, learn about the prevalence of exceptional learners in both high and low-prevalence categories, and how special education is defined, understand and appreciate the history and origins of education, including legislation and litigation that have affected special education!