Guest Author - Debra K. Rief

Inclusion and mainstreaming are the buzz words these days. Now that you have a student with a disability enrolled in your class, what do you do? Here are some suggestions teachers may use in any classroom.

Room Placement
Remember to place students with disabilities with the rest of the class instead of the back of the room. They need to be included. Keep the aisles wide enough for wheelchairs and other equipment.

Activities and Communication
Encourage students with disabilities to participate in class and in activities. If they have a speech impediment, be patient and allow them to speak. Make sure you call on them for answers. Remember a positive comment is much better than a negative one.

Peer Buddy
Use a peer buddy for students with physical disabilities. Peer buddies assist the student with papers and books. Rotate peer buddies on a weekly or monthly basis.

Education
Education is a key to success for students with disabilities. Talk to them about college and career opportunities. Encourage and challenge them to do their best.

Startle Reflex
Common with cerebral palsy is the startle reflex. This is when a student jumps easily at a noise or sudden action. Prepare a student if you know something sudden will happen.

Books on Tape/Book Holders
Holding a book can be a difficult task for a student with cerebral palsy. As a teacher, you might think that they are deficient in reading. Try a book holder, page-turner, or books on tape. In most cases, students like to read, but have a hard time physically.

Computers
Encourage students to learn about computers and how to use computers. Computers are an excellent tool for independence and may assist them with a career later in life.

Disability Awareness
Teach every student about disabilities. Promote books about people with disabilities. Ask in a guest speaker who has a disability to talk about their experiences. The more students know about disabilities, the more accepting they will be about students who have disabilities.

With these rules, the classroom environment will be great for you and your students.

Do you have a teaching suggestion? Please post it on our forum.