Types of special education students: an overview.

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Special education students have physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, learning, developmental, and communication challenges. They are placed in special education classes with specialized learning devices and a smaller student-to-teacher ratio. Different types of disabilities require different teaching approaches and tools. Some parents debate the special education label for their child.

The different types of special education students include those with physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, learning, developmental, and communication challenges. Students are placed in special education classes if they have disabilities or impairments that interfere with learning in a traditional classroom. Special education classrooms and resource classrooms are typically equipped with specialized learning devices and a smaller student-to-teacher ratio.

Some special education students have physical disabilities. Students who are blind or deaf often require special learning devices not offered by the conventional classroom. Students with physical disabilities that impair speech or the movements needed to write or speak may be placed in special education classes where they can receive more specialized attention from teachers.

The category of special education students includes those with mental health issues and brain injuries. A student who has suffered a head injury often requires a different teaching approach, specialized teaching tools, and personalized attention. Mentally retarded students, in general, study in special environments that allow for a slower pace, repetition of content, and increased supervision.

Some autistic students are placed in special education classrooms. The challenges that come with this disorder vary from person to person. Many autistic children experience delays in language development and social skills. Some experience no reaction to sounds, while others are very sensitive to noise and physical contact. The placement of some autistic children in special education classrooms often creates greater comfort for the student and facilitates a more focused approach to learning.

Behavioral disorders are also reasons behind placing students in special education classes. A child with a conduct disorder, for example, might be placed in a special education classroom because he is continually disruptive and needs an increased amount of attention from the teaching staff. Students with attention deficit disorder are considered special education students in cases where their learning needs cannot be met in a traditional classroom. A child lacking impulse control may also require an adapted teaching environment and specialized attention.

Some special education students suffer from mental and emotional health problems such as depression, anxieties or phobias. In these situations, the condition prevents the student from participating in classroom activities, inhibiting learning. In these cases, a special educational resource room that allows for more individualized attention is sometimes helpful. These placements are sometimes debated by parents who believe the special education label may harm their child, especially if they believe the condition is temporary and can be treated outside of school.




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