1. Exceptional Children
Ch 21-2

2. Children with Special Needs
Some children have needs that are very diffferent then the average child.
These kids fall into two categories:
Special needs
Special abilities/ Gifted
Gifted- a child that has a special ability in one or more areas, such as math, english, etc.
Both can effect the way a child functions in school and the world.
Parents can really impact the outcome of these children’s futures

3. Types of Disabilities
Disabilities can be physical such as mobility, vision, hearing, etc.
Disabilities could only effect emotions or the ability to learn.
Disabilities can be emotional

4. Learning Disabilities
Learning Disability- interferes with a child’s ability to learn, speak, read, write or do math
Children with a learning disability often have average or above average intelligence, but achieve below their potential.
Most learning disabilities are discovered when kids are years old and standardized testing starts.
Dyslexia- prevents a person from understanding printed symbols in a typical way
these kids are often very intelligent
They often have a hard time with directions (left and right)

5. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
ADHD- a behavioral disorder that is commonly accompanies other learning disorders
Kids with ADHD:
Don’t finish what they start
Don’t seem to listen
Get distracted easily
Always active and have a hard time staying in seat
Some show lack of emotional control
ADD is similar, but kids are not overactive.

6. Speech and Language Impairments
Speech and language impairments can cause many educational issues
It is important that these impairments are diagnosed and treated early on to give the child the best chance at success.

7. Mental Retardation
Also known as a cognitive impairment or developmental disability
These children have below average intelligence and skills
Children with mental retardation may have difficulty:
Thinking and learning
Paying attention
Remembering
Communicating
Interacting with others
Can range from mild to profound
No cure!
Mental retardation can be genetic or from injury

8. Serious Emotional Disturbances
Children with emotional disturbances:
Inability to learn that can’t be attributed to any other factor
Problems building and maintaining relationships
Inappropriate behavior or feelings
General unhappiness or depression
Irrational fears
Parents often will deny that there is a problem
Treatment includes:
Counseling
Strict educational/ behavior plan

9. Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD)
Autism effects 1 in every 500 children
It appears in the first 3 years of life
Kids with autism or ASD may:
Have a hard time with change
Have no empathy
Don’t make eye contact
Repeat phrases or words
Repeat movements or play
Distress without cause
Lose skills already learned
The earlier a child gets help, the more functional they can become.
Parents should seek help if:
Kids don’t coo by 12 months
Becomes overly attached to 1 toy or object
Is withdrawn

10. Hearing or Visual Impairments
Often a hearing impairment accompanies a speech impairment
It can be challenging to educate children with a visual impairment in the traditional way.

11. Physical Disabilities
Just because someone has a physical disability does not mean they have any mental impairment!!
Teachers have to be prepared and flexible when planning, so that a physically disabled student can be included.

12. Assignment
Choose one of the categories of exceptional children and investigate a career related to that category.