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• Special Education is individually planned, systematically implemented, and carefully evaluated instruction to help exceptional children achieve personal self-sufficiency and success in present and future environments
• Individually planned instruction includes the implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Systematically implemented and evaluated instruction is tailored to each child's special needs, educational services, curriculum goals, competencies, skills, and approaches
• The goal of Special Education is to help children become independent in personal maintenance, homemaking, community life, vocational activities, leisure, and travel
• The present environment refers to the child's current conditions, including family, school, community, and support institutions
• The future environment focuses on the child's progression through education levels: Elementary, Secondary, College/Vocational Program, and Workplace
• Special Education in the Philippines is protected by law and is part of the country's educational system under the Basic Education Program of the Department of Education
• Intervention in Special Education aims to prevent, eliminate, or overcome obstacles that hinder learning and full participation in school and social activities
• Types of intervention include preventive, primary prevention, and remedial intervention
• Special Education aims to teach children with special needs in the least restrictive environment (LRE), with preferred settings like Inclusive Education, special schools, residential schools, self-contained classes, home-bound, and hospital instruction
• The Special Education Division formulates policies, plans, and develops standards for programs and services
• Common terms used in Special Education:
• Developmental disability refers to severe, chronic disabilities in children attributed to mental or physical impairments, manifested before age 22, and resulting in substantial functional limitations
• Impairment/Disability refers to reduced function or loss of a specific body part or organ
• Handicap refers to problems encountered by individuals with disabilities when interacting with people, events, and the physical environment
• At Risk refers to children with higher chances of developing a disability, categorized into established risk, biological risk, and environmental risk
• Categories of Disabilities:
• Cognitive/Intellectual & Developmental Delay involve severe delayed development in cognitive, language, motor, and social skills
• Specific Learning Disability is a severe learning problem due to disorders in acquiring, organizing, or expressing information
• Autism Spectrum Disorders are lifelong developmental disorders characterized by abnormal behavior, impaired communication skills, and social interaction difficulties
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by persistent problems in inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
• Hearing Impairments result in deafness or hard-of-hearing conditions
• Visual Impairment affects educational performance due to a loss of vision
• Communication Disorders include articulation, fluency, voice, or language disorders affecting educational performance
• Orthopedic Impairments are associated with physical conditions impacting mobility or motor activity
• Health Impairments cause limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health problems
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results from external physical force, affecting cognitive abilities and emotional/behavioral functioning
• Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD) include conditions like inability to learn, maintain social relationships, inappropriate behavior, depression, and fear of physical symptoms
• The Ideal Setting: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Inclusive education promotes placing students with disabilities in general education classrooms based on educational needs rather than disability
• Students may shift to self-contained special education classes, specialized schools, or residential programs if general education classroom education is not sufficient
• Continuum of Educational Placements:
• Options range from highly segregated settings like hospital-bound instruction to highly integrated settings like general education classrooms
• Placements include hospital-bound instruction, home-bound instruction, residential schools, special day schools, full-time special education classrooms, and more
• Each placement offers different levels of support and interaction with non-disabled peers
• Factors Contributing to Inclusive Education Movement:
• Desire for normalization aims to provide opportunities and experiences similar to those of society to individuals with disabilities
• Deinstitutionalization led to the closure of isolating institutions and the development of community-based living arrangements
• Early intervention programs promote placing students with disabilities in general education settings to enhance various skills and reduce the likelihood of secondary disabilities
• Technological advances in assistive technology devices and services support individuals with disabilities in improving their functional capabilities