Students with Down syndrome have delays with cognitive ability. Their brains have a delayed reaction when their neurological system sends a message to complete a task. This causes them to take longer to complete a task than their non-disabled classmates. But since federal legislation requires students with learning disabilities to be educated in the same… Read More

In the past few years, there has been a move away from the educational standards of the No Child Left Behind Act to a new system called the Common Core State Standards, or CCCS. These standards provide guidelines for the subjects of reading, language arts and math, and they are being implemented in all states…. Read More

Every child has the ability to learn, but the way children learn and how much knowledge they can absorb can vary considerably — especially for a child with special needs. Yet, as a society we owe all children a chance to reach their potential, so it is important to create the best possible learning environment… Read More

For educators, keeping a classroom organized and structured can be difficult. For special education teachers, it can sometimes seem impossible. Teacher lesson plans help educators enter a class prepared with objectives and strategies for their goals. However, special education requires a lot of extra effort, changing plans when they go awry, helping students struggling to… Read More

The first grade reading level represents the point where children are beginning to build a foundation of literacy that will last them a lifetime. Helping special education students read at the first-grade level is an achievable goal, but it can pose a unique challenge because many of these children have specific issues that make it… Read More

Early childhood special education teachers work with children under the age of 6 who have diagnosed mental, social, or physical challenges. Committed to helping children reach their learning potential, an early childhood special education teaching career is a rewarding and challenging path. Being an early childhood special education teacher is a chance to make a… Read More

A special education teacher works with students who have physical, mental or social difficulties. The job requires a background in many disabilities so the teacher can build bonds of trust in students. That bond helps teachers develop students’ academic and life skills. If you’re a special education teacher, your work day might include activities like… Read More

Educating the next generation of children is a monumental responsibility. Designing engaging curriculum, training teachers to inspire, selecting the right textbooks and technological tools — these are major challenges no school can afford to take lightly. That’s why many schools employ educational specialists. Educational specialists work with schools to optimize students’ progress. They may focus… Read More

Working in special education is a job that requires a lot of skill, patience and training, but can be one of the most rewarding jobs for the right type of person. Specifically, special education applies to both children and adults who have varying degrees of learning disabilities and require special attention by teachers and advisors. There are a number… Read More

The term “special education” refers to instructional content, delivery, equipment and methods specifically geared toward students who have one or more special needs. These needs can vary from physical, cognitive or mental disabilities to developmental disorders and learning disabilities. The special education process ensures that children with disabilities have a better chance to succeed and… Read More

This post has been updated as of December 2017. Looking for effective teaching strategies for your special education classroom? These quick suggestions should come in handy for teachers working with special-needs students who pose certain challenges. Working with short attention spans Set clear expectations for all students. Break assignments into smaller pieces to work on… Read More

Behavioral health therapy and counseling is one of the fastest-growing medical sectors in the 21st century. It’s challenging work because many people need help with changing their patterns of behavior. Schools, in particular, are grappling with the psychosocial needs of their students. If somebody’s behavior poses a danger to themselves or other people, effective change… Read More

Innovation is the mark of a good teacher — no matter the class or subject. However, special education teachers often find themselves in need of exciting, innovative techniques for their classrooms. Thanks to technology, those innovations are now often no more than a tap away. The following are just a few of the many iPad… Read More