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M3 New
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BACHELOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
IN TOUCH!
Typology of Learners with Special Needs
SOURCES: by Jansheski from https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com
Characteristics of Children with Special Needs https://www.doe.virginia.gov
Characteristics of Children with Learning Disabilities from https://www.naset.org
Special Education—Department of Education from https://www.education.gov
How to Meet the Needs of Talented Artists in Elementary School—ERIC by Wilson (2009)
Talented—Visual Arts/Characteristics by Teacher Press
Definitions, Models, and Characteristics of Gifted Students by Johnsen
Characteristics of Gifted Learners—Hampton City Schools by VBCPS Office of Gifted Education and
Curriculum Development (2012)
Music Identification Handbook by Wisconsin Music Educators Association
An Introduction to the Performing Arts by Sage
Resource What is Performance Art by IMMA
PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM-Hewlett Foundation by Soe Can (2012)
A. CEREBRAL PALSY
Definition
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological condition which begins with the brain. It
constitutes disorder of movement and muscle tone, in which causes complications
and symptoms that range from mild to severe and debilitating.
Cause of Cerebral Palsy
Brain damage or a disruption in normal brain development occurring in the womb
during the mother’s labor and delivery or shortly after birth.
Characteristic symptoms
Either too much or too little muscle tone
Rigid muscles
Spastic muscles
Poor muscle coordination
Slow and writhing movements
Delayed motor development
Difficulty walking
Difficulty swallowing
Drooling
Difficulty speaking; and
Seizures
B. TRISOMY 21
Definition
Commonly known as Down Syndrome, it is a congenital chromosomal disability.
Chromosomes are genes packages in the body cells. Normally, people have 23
chromosome pairs for a total of 46. Down Syndrome occurs when a child develops
with extra copy of chromosome 21 in the womb, for a total of three of this particular
chromosome. This leads to the terminology Trisomy 21.
Extra chromosomes cause developmental delays for both children and adults with
this condition.
Distinctive Physical Features
Flattened facial feature
Small ears
Small hands and feet
Short neck
Short stature
Common Effects of Trisomy 21
Low muscle tone and loose joints
Hearing loss
Congenital heart defects
Eye disease
Sleep apnea
Lower than average IQ
Recurrent ear infections
Figure 3.1 Comparison and Contrast on Cerebral Palsy and Trisomy 21 from
https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com
• Visual Dyslexia. People with this condition usually cannot learn words as a whole
component. There are problems with visual discrimination, memory synthesis,
and sequencing of words. Reversal of words or letters when reading, writing, and
spelling is common (take the case on the movie ‘Every Child is Special’).
B. DYSGRAPHIA
Dysgraphia is a learning disability associated with written expression, entails
writing skills that fall below the expected given the individual’s age, IQ, and
education, such that academic achievement or activities of daily living are
significantly impaired.
It is the inability to perform motor movement, in other words, extremely poor
handwriting. It is associated with a neurological dysfunction. Agraphia is an
acquired disorder in which the ability to write and make patterns is impaired
(Birsch, 1999; cited in Kirk et al., 2003 as cited by Jansheski).
Conditions on Students’ handwriting problems:
A lack of fine motor coordination
Failure to attend to task
Inability to perceive and/or remember visual images accurately
Inadequate handwriting instruction in the classroom
The American Academy of Special Education Professionals’ Educator’s Diagnostic
Manual of Disabilities and Disorders (2007), as cited by Jansheski, highlighted the
following writing disorders most frequently seen in children with dysgraphia:
Dyslexic Dysgraphia. With this disorder, spontaneously written text is illegible,
particularly when the text is complex. Oral spelling is poor, but drawing and
copying of written text are normal. Finger-tapping speed (a measure of fine-motor
speed) is normal.
Motor Dysgraphia. Both spontaneously written and copied text may be illegible,
oral spelling is normal, and drawing is usually problematic. Finger-tapping speed
is abnormal.
Spatial Dysgraphia. An individual displays illegible writing, whether
spontaneously produced or copied. Oral spelling is normal. Finger-tapping speed
is normal, but drawing is very problematic.
C. DYSCALCULIA
Developmental Arithmetic Disorder, commonly known as Dyscalculia, refers to
selective impairment in mathematical thinking or in calculation skills (Fletcher &
Forman, 1994 as cited by Jansheski). Problems with number or basic concepts
show up early. Disabilities that appear in the later grades are commonly tied to
problems in reasoning.
The American Academy of Special Education Professionals’ Educator’s Diagnostic
Manual of Disabilities and Disorders (2007), as cited by Jansheski, highlighted the
following mathematical disorders in children with dyscalculia:
• Basic Number Fact Disorder. Individuals with this disorder have problems
memorizing and retaining basic arithmetic facts, such as the answers to 8 – 5, 6 +
2—they have problems memorizing as many facts as other children do. They
count their fingers to add and subtract and seem unable to develop efficient
memory strategies with independence.
• Calculation Disorder. Inconsistent calculation may lead to numerous errors on
mathematical tasks. Students with calculation difficulties perform the incorrect
mathematical operations. For example, when calculating 8 - 5, they may respond
13, because they added rather than subtracting the two numbers.
• Mathematical Abstraction Limitation Disorder. Individuals do not possess the
ability to function at a high level of mathematical abstraction; hence, can only
function on a concrete level of understanding. They tend to reach a ceiling in their
ability to comprehend abstract math concepts.
B. HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Definition
Hearing impairment is hearing loss, in one or both ears, that may be permanent
or fluctuating, that adversely affect educational performance, but is not included in
the definition of deafness.
Related concepts
Deafness means a hearing impairment so severe that the child’s ability to process
linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, is limited to
the extent that it adversely affects his or her educational performance.
Deaf blindness is simultaneous hearing and visual impairment, the combination of
which causes severe communication and other developmental or educational needs
that cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children
with deafness or children with blindness.
C. SPEECH IMPAIRMENT (defined)
Speech or language impairment is a communication disorder, such as stuttering,
impaired articulation, language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely
affects a child's educational performance.
D. MULTIPLE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT (defined)
Multiple disabilities means a child exhibits two or more impairments
simultaneously (such as intellectual disability, blindness, intellectual disability,
orthopedic impairment, etc.), the combination of which requires schools to attend to
specific educational needs that cannot be accommodated in special education
programs solely for one of the impairments.
The term does not include deaf blindness, which is considered a separate
disability.
‘Talented’ tends to
refer to individuals
with abilities in the
‘Gifted’ often refers to
arts
abilities in academia
Parent’s Roles in
understanding the
characteristics
and behaviors of
gifted children
Support cognitive and Support affective (social
intellectual needs and emotional) needs
The family, being the immediate environment of the child, know their child better. They
can either develop or hamper their child’s growth; thus, it is significant to determine
parent’s roles on their child’s character development.
A. VISUAL ARTS
Importance of Arts Instruction
As emphasized by Wilson, students who are talented in the visual arts benefit from
curricular programming that highlights their unique gifts. Early and advanced
opportunities in the arts play a vital role in the later development of professional
artists. It has been found that talented students who participate in programming
for the visual arts report long-term affective and career gains (Confessore, 1991).
These programs should be learner-centered (Burton, 2000) and emphasize the
production of artwork (Burton, 1994).
The following characteristics are associated with visually talented students’
behavioral traits and characteristics of their artwork.
present, it becomes gradually less and less visible, until those who have this ability
succeed in concealing the interest and potential for music altogether.
Musical Giftedness Defined
“A musically gifted person is someone who shows, or has the potential for
showing, an exceptional level of performance in creating music,
performing music, and/or responding to music.”
—Adapted from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
C. INTELLECTUAL GIFTEDNESS
Those gifted and talented students with general intellectual ability tend to perform
or show the potential to perform in several fields of study. As intensified by
Johnsen, Spearman (1923) defined this general ability as "g," which is common to
many tasks. Cattell (1963) further divided "g" into fluid (inherited ability) and
crystallized (abilities acquired through learning). Many general intelligence tests
and checklists include items that assess both fluid abilities, such as analogies,
block designs, and pattern arrangements, and crystallized abilities, such as
mathematics problems, vocabulary, and comprehension of reading passages.
D. PERFORMING ARTS
A young child sits at the piano for the first time, running his hands across the keys,
kicking his legs beneath him as they dangle off the bench.
As the curtain rises, a family sits together in the center aisle to watch the opening
night performance of a new play.
Two sisters dance together in their bedroom, creating their own choreography to their
favorite music, twirling, and swirling to the sounds around them.
A cast of children stand anxious and excited on stage in the bright spotlights,
adorned in colorful costumes.
Central to the process and execution of Performance Art is the live presence of
the artist and the real actions of his/her body, to create and present an
ephemeral art experience to an audience. A defining characteristic of
Performance Art is the body, considered the primary MEDIUM and conceptual
IN TOUCH!
Typology of Learners with Special Needs (Continuation)
SOURCES: Social, Emotional and Behavioral Challenges by NCLD (2017)
Social and Emotional Skills by OECD
Emotional and Behavioral Disorder by Lind
Emotional or Behavioral Disorders by James
Panic attacks by Center for Integrated Healthcare (2013)
Anxiety and Panic Attacks by Mind (2021)
Depression by WHO
Depression by The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
The figure above includes the BIG FIVE domains and the compound skills which
augment our social and emotional context. The “Big Five” dimensions and the
compound skills used several criteria to decide on skills to include and which need
to:
provide a broad and balanced coverage of the entire domain of social and
emotional skills
be predictive of success in a wide range of important life outcomes and events
be malleable and susceptible to possible policy interventions
be appropriate for 10- and 15-year-olds
be comparable and relevant across different cultures, languages, social and
school contexts
be relevant for the future
B. ANXIETY ATTACK
Definition
Anxiety is a natural human response when we feel that we are under threat. It
intervenes with our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
C. DEPRESSION
“A solution for depression is at hand... Efficacious and cost-effective
treatments are available to improve the health and the lives of millions of
people around the world...”
-Anonymous
Definition
Depression is a common mental disorder which comes with depressed mood, loss
of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. Moreover, depression often
comes with symptoms of anxiety.
Variations of Depression
i. Depressive episode involves symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of
interest and enjoyment, and increased fatigability. Depending on the number
and severity of symptoms, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild,
moderate, or severe. An individual with a mild depressive episode will have
some difficulty in continuing with ordinary work and social activities but will
probably not cease to function completely. During a severe depressive episode,
on the other hand, it is very unlikely that the sufferer will be able to continue
with social, work, or domestic activities, except to a very limited extent.
ii. Bipolar affective disorder typically consists of both manic and depressive
episodes separated by periods of normal mood. Manic episodes involve
elevated mood and increased energy, resulting in over-activity, pressure of
speech and decreased need for sleep.
Types of Depression
Depressive disorders, also known as mood disorders, include three main types:
major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Depressive disorders can affect people of any age, including children, teenagers,
adults, and older adults.
a. Major depression involves at least five of the symptoms. Such an episode is
disabling and will interfere with the ability to work, study, eat, and sleep. Major
depressive episodes may occur once or twice in a lifetime, or they may recur
frequently. They may also take place spontaneously, during or after the death of
a loved one, a romantic breakup, a medical illness, or other life event. Some
people with major depression may feel that life is not worth living and some will
attempt to end their lives.
b. Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, usually continues for at least two
years. Its severity is lesser than major depression but involves the same
symptoms; sad mood combined with low energy, poor appetite or overeating,
and insomnia or oversleeping. It can show up as stress, irritability, and mild
anhedonia, which is the inability to derive pleasure from most activities.
c. Bipolar disorder, once called manic depression, is characterized by moods that
shift from severe highs (mania) or mild highs (hypomania) to severe lows
(depression). The mood episodes associated with the disorder persist from days
to weeks or longer and may be dramatic. Severe changes in behavior go along
with mood changes.
E. BIPOLAR DISORDER
Definition
Bipolar disorder is a chronic or episodic (which means occurring occasionally and
at irregular intervals) mental disorder. It can cause unusual, often extreme and
fluctuating changes in mood, energy, activity, and concentration or focus. Bipolar
disorder sometimes is called manic-depressive disorder or manic depression, which
are older terms.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Symptoms vary depending upon its intensity and severity. An individual with
bipolar disorder may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed”
episodes.
Symptoms of a Manic Episode Symptoms of a Depressive Episode
Feeling very up, high, elated, or Feeling very down or sad, or anxious
extremely irritable or touchy Feeling slowed down or restless
Feeling jumpy or wired, more Trouble concentrating or making
active than usual decisions
Racing thoughts Trouble falling asleep, waking up too
Decreased need for sleep early, or sleeping too much
Talking fast about a lot of Talking very slowly, feeling like you have
different things (“flight of ideas”) nothing to say, or forgetting a lot
Lack of interest in almost all activities
Unable to do even simple things
Misuse of Drugs or Alcohol. People with bipolar disorder are more prone to
misusing drugs or alcohol.
Eating Disorders. People with bipolar disorder occasionally may have an eating
disorder, such as binge eating or bulimia.
Genes
Bipolar disorder runs in families, and research suggests that this is common by
heredity—people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than
others. Many genes are involved, and no one gene can cause the disorder. But genes
are not the only factor. Some studies of identical twins have found that even when one
twin develops bipolar disorder, the other twin may not. Although people with a parent
or sibling with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the disorder themselves,
most people with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.
Bear in mind that bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, but long-term, ongoing
treatment can help prevent symptoms and enable you to live a healthy life.
A. ASTHMA
It is a common chronic (long-term) lung disease which can make it hard to breath.
It is characterized by having extra sensitive airways, which when triggered can
tighten up, become swollen, produce extra mucus, and make it hard to breath.
B. DIABETES
This chronic illness leads the pancreas not to produce enough insulin, or the body
does not properly use the insulin it makes. Insulin is a hormone which helps the
body control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
C. EPILEPSY
It results from sudden bursts of hyperactivity in the brain; this causes seizures
which vary in form, strength, and frequency, depending on where in the brain
abnormal activity occur.
D. ALLERGY/ ANAPHYLAXIS
This is a serious allergic reaction that can be life threatening; it requires avoidance
strategies and immediate response in the event of an emergency.
Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students in Dealing with Chronic Illness
Family’s Responsibilities
Notify the school of the student’s health management needs and diagnosis when
appropriate. Notify schools as early as possible and whenever the student’s health
needs change.
Provide a written description of the student’s health needs at school, including
authorizations for medication administration and emergency treatment, signed by
the student’s health care provider.
Participate in the development of a school plan to implement the student’s health
needs:
Meet with the school team to develop a plan to accommodate the student’s
needs in all school settings.
Authorize appropriate exchange of information between school health program
staff and the student’s personal health care providers.
Communicate significant changes in the student’s needs or health status
promptly to appropriate school staff.
Provide an adequate supply of student’s medication, in pharmacy-labeled
containers, and other supplies to the designated school staff, and replace
medications and supplies as needed. This supply should remain at school.
Provide the school a means of contacting you or another responsible person at all
times in case of an emergency or medical problem.
Educate the student to develop age-appropriate self-care skills.
Promote good general health, personal care, nutrition, and physical activity.
School’s Responsibilities
Identify students with chronic conditions and review their health records as
submitted by families and health care providers.
Student’s Responsibilities
Notify an adult about concerns and needs in managing his or her symptoms or the
school environment.
Participate in the care and management of his or her health as appropriate to his or
her developmental level.
A child’s development isn’t confined on the child’s own pace of attaining progress. It
is a consensus effort from the child and his or her immediate environment. The
amount of affection, guidance, or help from the immediate environment of a child
creates an avenue for better wellbeing and self-actualization.
B. VICTIMS OF WAR
Children who were caught off-guard in times of war, were not merely victims but
also prisoners. With the said circumstance, the cost of living, the quality of
learning, and all other forms of freedom remains on hold. The opportunity to attend
to schooling, as one of the most valuable means to secure a better living, becomes
challenging on this kind of crisis.
To reintegrate the children touched by war and armed conflicts, we must consider
general rehabilitation and then with a special rehabilitation according to needs of
the children. Th following should be considered:
Begin with psychosocial help to restore the psychological and social
development of children and to mitigate the harmful effects of wars. We
noted that the contents of psychosocial assistance for the children of war
depend primarily on their particular need, their cultures and their traditions.
It is also significant to put premium on the capacity of children to find in
them and to overcome difficult conditions after war. We can use models of
creative therapies.
For example, the call to cultural media such as arts of interpretation and
visual arts as well as the account, the creative word can decrease the
psychological problems of the children touched by war.
Bearing and developing the essence of resilience and hope. Th coping
mechanism of a child should be guided accordingly as they try to dwell with
the life challenges.
The members of family are the child’s immediate environment and are the most
significant people during their development. The kind of family in which children
live with has an impact as to their development by determining the kind of
relationship they share with different family members. Home provides children with
feelings of security and stability. These are essential for personal and social
adjustment. Anything that interferes with these feelings can be regarded as
hazardous for children. Hazardous relationships involve all family members, and
the possibility of a broken home becomes greater. It is then important to keep the
family going and save it from any means of separation.
E. VICTIMS OF ABUSE
Children will always be children. Their vulnerability to the outside world has been
subjected to studies showing the rate of abuse on young children. These abuses
which come in many forms, have hampered the growth and development of a child.
Further, it disturbs the sanity of their childhood which intervenes their physical,
mental, emotional, psychological, social, and other related concerns.
Case Management
Case management is a procedure to plan, seek, and monitor services from different
social agencies and staff on behalf of a client. Usually, one agency takes primary
responsibility for the client and assigns a case manager who coordinates services,
advocates for the client, sometimes controls resources and purchases services for the
client (Barker 2003).
The following approaches are hereby adopted in the management of cases of child
abuse, neglect, and exploitation:
The management of child abuse cases is multi-sectoral (national and local government
agencies, non-government and faith-based organizations, civic and private sectors) and
multi-disciplinary (police, prosecutor, judge, lawyer, social worker, medical doctor,
psychiatrist, psychologist, barangay officials, among others) working together as a
team to provide appropriate protection, legal and social services to the child victims of
abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Helping these victims cope up and start anew is
basically the best response to this concern.
UPSHOT
Learners with special and inclusive needs vary their identity based
from the underlying circumstance and uncertainties. Understanding
where they are coming from helps them feel being respected and
accepted. This is not solely their battle, but a concensus between
them, their immediate family, peers, the school, and the community.
My Reflections / My Insights
Define your own role in dealing with the varied typology of learners.
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REFERENCES
Wilson, HE (2009). How to Meet the Needs of Talented Artists in Elementary School—
ERIC. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov on March 16, 2021
Teacher Press, OCPS. Talented—Visual Arts/Characteristics. Retrieved from
https://www.cpsb.org on March 16, 2021
Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Retrieved from www.mind.org.uk on March 16, 2021
International OCD Foundation. What You Need to Know about Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder. Retrieved from iocdf.org on March 16, 2021.
CAMH Bipolar Clinic Staff (2014). Bipolar disorder An information guide. Retrieved
from www.camh.ca on March 16, 2021
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2017).
Research Brief: Chronic Health Conditions and Academic Achievement.
Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/chronic_conditions on March 16,
2021
NHLBI. Students With Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and
Students. Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov on March 16, 2021
UNICEF (2013). Children with Disabilities. Retrieved from www.unicef.org on March
16, 2021
UNESCO (1989). Improving Learning Opportunities for Street Children. Retrieved from
files.eric.ed.gov on March 16, 2021
Consortium for Street Children. The Facts about Street Children. Retrieved from
www.streetchildren.org on March 16, 2021
OECD. Supporting Success for Indigenous Students. Retrieved from www.oecd.org on
March 16, 2021
United Nations (July, 2014). Education and Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved from
www.un.org on March 16, 2021
UNICEF (2020). Covid-19: Are Children Able to Continue Learning During School
Closures? Retrieved from www.unicef.org/brazil/media/10006/file/remote-
learning-factsheet.pdf on April 26, 2021