Special Education Essay -- Education Teaching

Introduction Since the passing of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to serve all students regardless of their disability in a least restrictive environment. Due to increase in the number of students being identified and placed in general education classrooms, educators can expect to serve students with disabilities. It is important to understand the different types of disabilities, the characteristics of these disabilities, and causes; in order to ensure the success of students. This paper will define severe disabilities, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, autism, and deaf-blindness. In addition, this paper will address the characteristics and causes of each disability. Definition of Severe Disabilities There are many different definitions used to define the meaning of severe disabilities, a general definition for severe disabilities is any disability that significantly limits a person's physical, mental or emotional performance, and requires ongoing extensive support in more than one major life activity in order to participate fully in education, community settings or work. According, to Heward (2009), severe disabilities includes, â€Å"students with significant disabilities in intellectual, physical, and/or social functioning, students that have multiple disabilities or deaf-blindness, students with severe mental retardation, severe emotional disturbance, and severe disabilities or health impairments are encompassed by the term† (p.453). Characteristics of Severe Disabilities Depending upon, the combination and severity of disabilities, and the age of the person with severe disabilities they may exhibit a wide range of characteristics, however, â€Å"one defining characteristic ... ...ents that has one or more disabilites. By having a better understanding of the defintion, characteristics, and causes of these disabiliteis educators can be better prepared to instuct their students. By gaining a better insight of theses students and how they learn, educators can use effective strategies to ensure the success of all students. Works Cited Heward, W. L. (2009). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. (2004). Disabilities Fact Sheet. Retrieved January 8, 2011 from http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/fs10.pdf National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page. Retrieved January 8, 2011 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm