Coping emotionally with a physical disability or health impairment presents a major problem for some children. Maintaining a sense of belonging can be difficult for a child who must frequently leave the classroom to participate in a therapeutic session or other health care routine. Differences in physical appearance and the need for assistive technology may cause further problems.
• What laws or Acts are referenced when identifying children with ADHD as being in need of special education services?
• Explain how a teacher should organize her classroom and adapt educational strategies to help peers and others become more accepting of a student with a physical disability or other health impairment (including AD/HD). How might this be different for children with severe or multiple disabilities?
• Give examples of environmental modifications that enable people with physical or health impairments to more fully participate in day-to-day activities in schools and communities. Identify modifications that benefit or are useful for other people as well.
• What are the arguments for and against students with severe disabilities attending their neighborhood schools versus segregated and/or clustered schools?
• Imagine having "normal" intelligence in a body that is severely impaired.
o What frustrations and difficulties would you have in proving your intellectual abilities?
o What challenges would a teacher have in providing opportunities for you to succeed?