ALLISON BARKEREDUC- W 200

Special Needs Education

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Table of ContentsWhat are “Special Needs”?

Moving On, Moving Up

Conclusion

Works Cited

As the Paper Folds, the Mind Unfolds

End Show

“Special needs” is a collaborative term that represents an array of diagnosis Mild learning disabilities, profound mental

retardation, food allergies, terminal illness Positives and Negatives

(+) accomplishments greater when achieved, weaknesses paired with amazing strengths

(-) what a child cannot do, mourn disabilities Medical Issues

cancer, heart defects, asthma, diabetes, dwarfism, food allergies

Parents should be: ready to deal with crisis, uncertainty, worry

Behavior Issues ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, tourette

disorder Parents should be: flexible, creative

Developmental Issues Autism, down syndrome, mental retardation Parents should be: strong to make sure their child

receives all the services he needs Learning Issues

Dyslexia, central auditory processing disorder Parents should be: continuously working with their

child and school Mental Health Issues

Anxiety, depression Parents should be: ready to make hard decisions

regarding therapy, medications, hospitalization, professional help

Personal Reflections› When goals are accomplished, they are moresignificant.› A crisis will occur frequently› Parents need to be patient› Parents need to be willing to work with child’s

needs › Whole family needs to stay strong

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As the Paper Folds, the Mind Unfolds 6

Origami- the transformation or folding of paper. It requires no outside materials. Almost anyone can do it. Does not require a natural artistic gift.

Teachers and occupational therapists have been using this craft.

It helps the child gain more self-esteem. Child sees, by just refolding the crease, that his mistakes

can be reversed. Child feels a sense of accomplishment when he has

finished the artwork. Fast results Finished origami is always a success

As the Paper Folds, the Mind Unfolds 7

Friedrich Froebel believed that games can be very educational. Children see how each fold influences another.

Origami, in a sense, is like a game. Follows rules, exciting, entertains, hands-on, multi-

sensory Combination of action and thought processing

Improves cognitive skills- sequential memory, concentration, eye/hand coordination, fine/gross motor skills

Personal Reflections› Great tool for special needs › Great for self-esteem› Positive due to step by step process› Encouraging due to reversal option to fix a

mistake› Great for improving all motor functions

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Moving On, Moving Up Moving On, Moving Up 99

Developmental and optimal functioning can be greatly altered with the lack of physical activity.◦Effects fitness◦Effects cognitive functioning

Fitness positives◦One can start with basic movement patterns and

can succeed in sports.◦Physical fitness has educational components that

aid in the developmental progress.Fitness negatives

◦The many specific & specialized movements can frustrate the child.

◦The child may only be interested in the sports/games they have learned.

Moving On, Moving Up Moving On, Moving Up 1010

Physical education can be taught effectively anywhere◦School◦Home

When educating special needs students on exercises…◦Begin with the basic movements ◦Break down each component into small, easy steps

Creating physical fitness programs can be basic or complex◦Basic- walking from point A to point B◦Complex- 5 step push-up

Special needs children require a lot of time and patience.

Parents and teachers need to work with the specific needs of the child.

Origami, a great tool for special needs children, is a step-by-step process that builds self-esteem.

Physical activity helps to increase help increase brain functions.

The exercises’ components should be taught to the special needs students in a step-by-step process.

Works Cited 13(2006, December). As the Paper Folds, the Mind

Unfolds. Parent Guide, Retrieved November 9, 2008, from http://www.parentguidenews.com/articles/Dec06/AsthePaper.php

Chessen, E. (2008, June). Moving On, Moving Up. Parent Guide, Retrieved November 11, 2008, from http://parentguidenews.com/articles/June08/MovingOn.php

Mauro, T. What Are "Special Needs"?. About.com, Retrieved November 9, 2008, from http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm