I teach 18-22-year-old young adults with a variety of intellectual, physical, and sensory impairments in our county's Community-Based Instruction program. Areas we focus on in class include social skills, functional math, science, communication and job skills. Most of the students rely on pictures, adapted devices, and manipulatives to access their education.
The best part of teaching special education is that the students look forward to coming to school!
At school, they can express their imaginations, interact with their peers, and learn skills that will help them in their future adult programs.
My students are special because they have such a wonderful outlook on life, despite the disabilities they face. My goal in the classroom is to offer the students a varied, rich, and hands-on educational experience that will help them to be as independent and happy in the future as possible.
My Project
The students in my class enjoy a variety of stories, but most do not have the ability to read. I have requested a dual CD player/tape deck because a tape deck allows me to attach a switch adapter to the player and will give the students the ability to have control over their own reading experience.
In addition, I can record individual lessons for a student for times when I am involved with IEP meetings or working with another student on essential skills.
In the field of special education, it is very important to consistently reinforce the students’ skills on a daily basis. Many of my students require hand over hand assistance for simple skills such as using eating utensils, completing vocational tasks, and using choice boards for communication.
I feel that a reading center with a switch adapter will allow my students to access literature in an independent manner and allow them to have more control over their education. This may seem like a small thing, but being able to complete a task independently is an important part of being an adult.
The headphones chosen will allow the students to maintain safety and give them the ability to seek praise without being tethered by a cord!
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