What is special needs?
Special needs is a general term for children who need some form of extra help and assistance. It may also be used to describe children with an impairment or medical condition.
Roles of a Special Needs Teacher
- Identifying the needs of assigned students through formal and informal assessments.
- Review referral data, history and assessment data to develop appropriate goals and objectives for each student.
- Confer with general education teachers regarding the social, emotional and physical needs and objective of each student.
- Plan develop and implement individualized learning plans for each student
- Design appropriate teaching strategies
- Prepare instructional materials and lesson plans according to individual education plan (IEP)
- Monitor, Evaluate and document each student’s progress.
- Utilizing appropriate measurements and assessment devices.
- Prepare timely progress reports for each child/ student.
- Develop and implement necessary interventions and strategies to promote achievement of student objectives.
- Collaborate and consult with general school personnel regarding the IEPs and special education services.
- Modify and adapt conventional educational requirements of Special Needs students.
- Maintain regular communication with parents by means of email, phone calls, conferences, progress reports and communication book.
- Assist parents with understanding and supporting educational objectives, learning expectations and behavior standards.
- Ensure adherence to reasonable rules of classroom discipline and order to maintain a secure and effective learning environment.
- Manage students’ behaviour through monitoring, supervising and assessing behavioural patterns (behavior management).
- Utilize appropriate corrective methods to modify behaviour.
- Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans where necessary.
- Prepare special needs students inclusion and transition to mainstream.
