Tips for Dealing with Exceptional Learners...

Students with special educational needs have a unique knowledge of their own needs and circumstances.  They will have their own views about what sort of help they would like to assist them with their education.  Students should where possible have an input into the decision making process.  The students help with the setting of goals and learning targets could be a motivational factor in their education.

As students get older or develop more skills then they should be involved in the IEP process in some meaningful way.  They could provide input into the meeting.  They could be involved in the final part of the meeting.  Learning to advocate for your self is a useful skill for students to develop.  Students can be involved in the assessment process.  This will help them understand the process and may reduce anxiety.

Teachers’ codes of practice are suggesting there is a need to involve students in the development of services to assist those who need help (Scottish Executive, 2005).

Here is a suggested list of strategies:

• Students should be fully informed about and be prepared for meetings.
• Meetings should be held with familiar adults.
• Students should be asked about their preference for who attends the meeting.
• Students should have a choice in the way they get their views across in the meetings.
• Students should be given evidence that they have been listened to during a meeting.
• The language used in the meetings should be accessible to students.
• Written feedback should be shared with the students.

The challenge is to be able to provide an accessible meeting for a range of students. 

This article was contributed by: Bob Leeming, a Registered Psychologist with the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. (http://www.minedu.govt.nz/)