According to the government (GOV.UK, 2016), special educational needs support is available at all educational levels. This was in light of international developments, modifications to national legislation and decisions by law makers. The key international influencer was presented by the Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action (UNESCO, 1994). Also, two cases in particular the O’Donoghue (1993) and Sinnott (2000) cases contributed significantly to changes in educational provision for children with special needs (Griffin and Shevlin, 20111). The first case the O’Donoghue (1993) concerned eight year old boy with special needs. The courts supported the claimant to ensure that children were permitted to primary education and the government was compiled to make adequate changes to the curriculum and teaching to make certain that they could make the best use of their capacities (Carey, 2005). The second case concerned Jamie Sinnott who had s severe form of autism and mental and physical dysfunction. The case concluded that the state was required to provide lifelong education for people with severe/profound general disabilities. It is now evident that inclusion in education is an important factor. This reduces exclusion from culture, curricula and communities of local schools. Not only is inclusion an educational or professional matter but an issue of fundamental human rights concerning everybody (Wertheimer, 1997).Both the Salamanca statement (1994) and the UN standard rules
Anyone providing services for children with special needs – health, education or social service departments, as well as voluntary organisations – must act within the legal framework. Legislation can change at any time and all health, education and social care practitioners, also Early Years workers, should be alert to new Acts and Regulations. There have been many changes to legislation in the UK over recent years which have affected this and a gradual increase in entitlements for these pupils.
The UN Convention on the rights of the child (1989) added to the Warnock Report by stating that disabled children have the right to be included in mainstream education, allowing the child to achieve the fullest possible social integration and individual development. The ramifications for
Schools have legal obligations to give students with a disability opportunities and choices comparable to those without a disability through the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 and the Disability Standards of Education 2005 (Department of Education and Training, n.d). To meet these standards, schools must be welcoming and reasonably accommodate for new students. We used the three phase inclusion process when Amir transferred to our school at the start of the year. The three flowing phases; preparation, transition and consolidation help all stakeholders inclusively plan for the best possible transition of a new child where their needs are provided for (Lyons, 2014, pg 80). Inclusive schools help support all students, teachers should work closely with the learning support team at their school to help them decide the best resources and strategies to meet students’ needs and promote their wellbeing (Lyons, 2014, pg 83). Amir has consultations with all relevant stakeholders at the start of the term to set learning goals and then at the end of the term to reflect on his achievements and what could be improved on. All teachers need to use their professional judgement and act ethically as their work significantly impacts the future of the learners in their class (Churchill, & Keddie, 2013, pg 539). Amir’s school promotes diversity and is strongly against bullying. At the start of each year we
In England, it is a legal requirement under the EYFS for all early years settings to work with parents and other professionals to support children’s care, learning and development. Certain policies and procedures must be in place to protect children and for guidance.
Data taken from the 1997-2008 National Health Interview Surveys of US showed that 1 out of every 6 children had developmental disabilities (Boyle et al, 2011). These disabilities were tabulated as including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other forms of developmental delay. According to the survey, these disabilities increased and now require more health and education interventions. Children aged 3-17 years old participated in the survey. Parent-respondents reported their children's diagnoses as including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, seizures, stuttering or stammering, hearing loss, blindness, learning disorders and other forms of developmental delay. These disabilities were much more prevalent in boys than in girls. They were lowest among Hispanic children as compared with non-Hispanic white and black children. Low income and public health insurance were associated with the prevalence. The rate of these disabilities increased from 12.84% to 15.94% in the last 13 years. Autism, ADHD and other developmental delays increased in all socio-demographic sub-groups, except for autism among non-Hispanic black children. The survey called for additional research on the influence of changing risk factors and changes in the acceptance and the benefits of early services (Boyle et al).
Under the Education Act 1981 provision should be made so that children and young people with Special Education Needs (SEN)/Disability or children and young people that have a learning difficult but which has not yet been clearly identified, are supported and can access mainstream schooling.
Robert’s rights to inclusion is reinforced by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001) which gave Robert the right to attend mainstream school and to be educated alongside his peer (Thomas and Vaughan, 2005). The Act strengthened further the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) which makes discrimination again Robert unlawful. The United Nation Convention on the Right of the Child Article 23, highlights that a child with a disability should have effective access to and receive an education ( Jones , 2004) Tassoni (2003) underlined that The Children Act (1989) spelled out the idea that all children have rights. It required protecting all children, but also highlighting the needs and rights of vulnerable children. As with Robert, he is a child in need and as such the school and LEA has legal duties to make sure that Robert is achieving within society.
In 1994, representatives of 92 governments and 25 international organizations formed the World Conference on Special Needs Education and called on the international community to endorse the concept of change and inclusion through a new statement called ‘The Salamanca Statement’. As this was the first major international statement of what an inclusive approach to education needs to be, they formed practical strategies to ensure this positive inclusion would take place worldwide.
Special education (SE), according to McCarthy, Dyer and Hunter (2002) differs from the education which is provided to all students enrolled in Australian schools. They state, the main principles of inclusive education are that barriers to inclusion and marginalisation are removed or reduced and that the key ideas of SE focus on in-class support and whole school practice. Despite there being no unified definition of what inclusion looks like, the Federal government, via the State governments requires all students have access to a minimum standard of education, outlined in the Australian curriculum documents. (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014). However, some children cannot access the curriculum, therefore educators must provide access to learning which will support all students in achieving success (Heward, 2009). Just as each person is an individual, it stands that their learning needs are unique, leading to the development and delivery of learning programs and spaces which reach those exceptional students (Brady & Scully, 2005).
The title of the ‘Every Child Matters’ framework clearly illustrates the government’s emphasis that each and every child should be able to fully access all areas of the curriculum. This ethic of promoting the rights of all children and young people to participation and equality of access must be implemented in schools so that the schools can uphold their legal obligation. It is the purpose of schools to educate the pupils in its care and the school will recognise that this means adopting individual approaches where a standardized one might not achieve the desired learning achievement with some pupils, to ensure that all pupils benefit from their experience at school. This is achieved in practical terms by the use of IEPs (Individual Education Plans) for children with SEN. It is important in school that all children are seen as important contributors to decisions that affect how services are planned and delivered to support their learning and meeting their specific needs.
Provides guidance on policies and procedures to guide schools and other professionals who have links with the schools and children with SEN. It provides support, advice on, how to meet the needs of SEN children to the age of 25 as well as promoting their welfare. The Act develops a strong relationship between parents, schools, local authority and other organisations that deal with childrenâ€TMs with SEN and to help raise achievement of children without
Before taking this module, Children and Special Educational Needs (SEN), I was uneducated and uncomfortable with the idea of teaching children with special educational needs. During the class we were given the opportunity to volunteer at a special needs school and I spent the day at The Clare School. This school was full of vibrant colors, technology and lots of smiling faces. I knew from there that this was going to be a new and exciting experience then any volunteering I’ve done in the past. Being introduced to the class, you could see the children’s comfort level decrease by their lack of attention and participation in the activities. This was the first time I have ever interacted with SEN, leaving me as nerves as they were to me. In this essay will I will reflect on my own personal experiences through the module, discuss exactly what Autism or PPD (pervasive developmental disorder) is, characteristics of autism, diagnosing Autism, misconception and barriers, and lastly, classroom strategies for educators to partake in to further the child in their educational journey.
The importance of education for all children, especially for those with disability and with limited social and economic opportunities, is indisputable. Indeed, the special education system allowed children with disability increased access to public education. Apart from that, the special education system has provided for them an effective framework for their education, and for the institutions involved to identify children with disability sooner. In turn, this promotes greater inclusion of children with disability alongside their nondisabled peers. In spite of these advances however, many obstacles remain, including delays in providing services for children with disability, as well as regulatory and
This report will aim to discuss the inclusion for special educational needs (SEN) students as well as those students with autistic spectrum condition (ASC). This report will discuss inclusive education and its history, as well as the social, political and philosophical arguments that impact upon it. The report will look at how educational practice is shaped by legislative and regulatory frameworks; it will also show how our own practice provides support for all children to achieve within mainstream education.
For thousands of years individuals with exceptionalities have been present in all parts of society across the world, especially those with physical or sensory characteristics. However, the way that these individuals have been viewed has changed dramatically. Originally these individuals were seen as ‘imbeciles,’ ‘worthless,’ and ‘a burden on society’ and were often shut away from ‘normal’ society or simply left to die or abandoned to institutions. Society has, however, created a positive change and started to exhibit a more humanitarian view and protective nature and developed a concern for the welfare of individuals with exceptionalities. The steadily changing view of society has paved the way to where today these individuals are now considered a part of an all-inclusive society where every citizen has value, merit and is capable of making a contribution to society.