What are some strategeies teachers can use to effectively include students with disabilities into thier classrooms?

       Inclusion, while it has many benefits, can also be a struggle for both teachers and students. It is a difficult task to mix students of all levels and abilities into one classroom, and meet all of their needs equally. This task can become even more complicated when there is only one teacher left to meet the needs of each and every individual student. So, when a special education student is placed in a regular classroom, what can a teacher to best meet the needs of that students without compromising the needs of other students?
       Teachers can start by making their classroom environment conducive to learning for all students. Organization is important to keeping all students, and especially students with special needs on task. Students with disabilities who are being sent to regular classroom from a separate environment may already find themselves distracted with the new environment without the addition of disorganization or additional distractions. To keep students on task, make sure the students desk is free of items they aren't currently using, reduce visual distractions in the classroom, and even make a checklist to keep the student organized. Also, having available pencils, books, paper, etc... and informing the student on their location can allow the student to feel prepared and organized.
       Teachers can also help special education students feel more confident by managing and monitoring time well. In general students with disabilities work better in short periods broken up by break times, and it may help to break large assignments into smaller tasks to make them seem more accomplishable. Also, it may help the students feel more prepared if they are given warnings as to when a new activity will be started. For example, tell your students, "Independent reading will be over in 5 minutes," or "We're going to start math in 10 minutes." Remember that special education students may also need additional time to complete tasks, and give them a specific place to hand in their assignments.
         When being tested, many special education students have special circumstances which the teacher should accommodate. For example, some students with disabilities have problems with motor or visual skills, so writing can be a problem. They may need to give oral responses to tests, or speak an answer verbally and have it written down for them. Just as with assignments, breaking tests into sections can help, and avoiding timed tests is recommended.
          When dealing with behavior, positive peer role models are important and so is having a code of conduct to let a student know when behavior is not appropriate. Immediate feedback is important as well, and reinforcement should be given right after the good or bad behavior. Other tips for helping special education feel confident and motivated in a regular classroom, are to provide visual explanations whenever possible, and to explain expectations. Explaining too many concepts at the same time to a student with disabilities can be difficult to them, so keep your points concise and to the point.
         These are tips for helping students with disabilities when they are included into a regular classroom, but in my opinion, they are tips that are beneficial to all students. While special education students may get the maximum benefit out of these strategies, I believe all students will appreciate these teaching tactics.

 

 

http://dsp.berkeley.edu/TeachStudentsWithDisab.html

http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/strategies-for-inclusion-classrooms