“Observation is the key” in Inclusive Education for Children with special Needs-A special Educator of SEVAI

Class room observation by SEVAI special educator

Inclusion is the preferred method of placement for students with special needs whenever possible. SEVAI under SSA is clear that students with disabilities must be educated in regular education settings to the maximum extent appropriate in light of their needs, and prohibit their exclusion unless education there cannot be achieved satisfactorily even with appropriate supplementary aids and services. There are around 4000 children in the target 10 Blocks of Trichy district who are physically and mentally challenged who needs very special attention. Every year assessment camps are organized in various blocks, where team of doctors assess the disability among the children and recommend the aid required to the child. The aids and artificial limbs like Crutches, wheel chairs, tricycles, hearing aids are provided to children free of cost.The differently abled children were assessed by the doctors and aids and appliances were provided. Home based education project is also going for counselling and teaching of severely disabled children, at their homes by SEVAI special educators and physiotherapists under SSA.Distribution of Identification cards, surgery for corrective measures, sports for children with special needs are some of the other activities. Special Educators of SEVAI keep the students active - not passive learners. Children are  encouraged to make choices as often as possible, a good teacher will allow students some time to flounder as some of the most powerful learning stems from taking risks and learning from mistakes.SEVAI considers that Parental involvement is crucial. Students with disabilities are kept free to learn at their own pace and alternative assessment strategies in place to meet their unique needs. The teacher facilitates the learning by encouraging, prompting, interacting, and probing with good questioning technique'. The teacher provides 3-4 activities that address the multiple learning styles and enables students make choices. The teacher provides many learning manipulative and opportunities for small group learning with counting, reading, assisting with unfinished tasks and basic concepts such as math facts. Successful learning takes place in a good classroom management and well known rules and procedures are maintained under SSA-IED. The teacher calls the whole class together regularly in the beginning to ensure that all rules and expectations are being adhered to. Remember, think big but start small. A special Educator of SEVAI mentions.”Observation is the key. Knowing what to look for is critical. Does the child give up easily? Does the child persevere? Is the child able to show how he got the task right? The teacher targets a few learning goals per day and a few students per day to observe for goal attainment. Formal/informal interviews will help the assessment process. How closely does the individual remain on task? Why or why not? How does the student feel about the activity? What are their thinking processes?” -Govin