1. An Introduction to Teaching Music to Children with Special Needs
Ryan Hourigan Ph. D.
Ball State University

2. Landscape of Special Education
1960’s Civil Rights Movement
Desegregation
Equal rights for all people
Pre 1970’s
Invisible People
Basements
Institutions
Many persons with disabilities did not receive an education
(Adamek & Darrow, 2005)

3. PL 94-142 or IDEA Six Basic Principles
FAPE (Free and Appropriate Education)
Nondiscriminatory evaluations
LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
IEP
Parents have rights
Due Process
Amended several times since (86,90,97,&04)

4. Inclusion/Mainstreaming
Why????? (From Class)
Inclusion
“Meaningful participation of students with special needs in general education classrooms”
(Lewis & Doorlag, p. 424)
Mainstreaming (older term)
The inclusion of students with special needs into general education for a portion of the school day

5. How can I begin to teach a student with a disability?
“The Team”
Participating in the process
The IEP process
Understanding the Disability
Adaptation of Instruction
Assessing
Adaptations and Accommodations
Thinking “outside of the box”

6. “The Team”
Anyone who teaches a child with disabilities is a part of the IEP team
Be involved (go to meetings)
Seek out the document (IEP)
Read the goals for the student in each area
This will help you understand the nature of the disability
Ideas for adapting and accommodating

7. Understanding the Disability
Talk to the other members of “The Team”
Resources (see materials given)
The Music Therapy World
Wide range of research on teaching students with disabilities

8. Adaptation of Instruction
Assessing your student
Is the student “diploma bound”?
Setting appropriate goals (Consult the team)
Also see the IEP
Other assessments in other areas
Are they at grade level?

9. Accommodating Students with Special Needs
EXTREMELY CONTEXTUAL
Think outside of the box
My research
See resources and information
Adamek and Darrow (2005)
Reference list given

10. Issues with Inclusion
Persons with disabilities are more likely to be behind in social development
Persons with disabilities are more likely to face social isolation
Persons with special needs encounter failure more often
(Lewis & Doorlag, 2005)

11. Attitudes Previous Special Education System Teachers and Adults
Isolate and remove
Teachers and Adults
From the old way
Inform children
Information can change attitudes

12. Jason
My research
Personal

13. Questions