When we hear about school inclusion, not everyone understands what this term implies, due to lack of knowledge or information. Inclusion in the educational system must identify and respect the existing diversities in the educational center.
It's essential, understand what we are talking about in order to help and improve children who have these special educational needs, and can develop their maximum potential. Today in this publication, we are going to address the issue of what special educational needs (SEN) are and what types exist.
An inclusive education entails an adaptation of the curricular contents of the educational center for students with SEN. They are people who request special educational attention, due to a disability or a disorder.
What are special educational needs?
We are aware that almost all children can or have suffered some type of difficulty when it comes to learning, this is the most normal. For most of them, this type of obstacle has been temporary with help and work from guardians or parents.
When we talk about special educational needs, the LOE, in article 73, defines them as those students who require, during the period of schooling, either throughout it or in a specific period, of certain supports and/or specific educational services. These attentions that are spoken of, can be derived from an intellectual, motor or sensory disability, or from serious behavioral disorders.
For a student to be considered ACNEE (Students with Special Educational Needs), it is A psychopedagogical evaluation report is required. In addition, an opinion on schooling made by guidance professionals, which establishes the existence of special educational needs and the type of schooling that best suits the evaluated student.
There are different types of schooling, among them are; schooling in an ordinary center, a Special Education center or a combination of these two cases.
Types of special educational needs
In most of the Spanish autonomous communities, The provision of specialized support resources for these students, by professionals, depends on the number of ACNEE, who are enrolled in the centers.
As we have commented, There are different types of SEN that can be caused by intellectual, motor or sensory disability, or serious behavioral disorders.. Each of these needs differs from the other, in terms of the difficulties faced by the child.
Physical disability
This case occurs when a person suffers from a physical state that irreversibly and permanently prevents him from moving with full functionality of his motor system. Depending on the number of limbs and parts that are affected, they are called deficiencies.
These can be, monoplegia, when paralysis occurs in only one limb; the paraplegia, occurs when paralysis affects the lower half of the body; tetraplegia, when all limbs are paralyzed, and the hemiplegiaparalysis occurs on one side of the body.
Conditions that produce physical dysfunction
Conditions that produce physical dysfunction are brain damage that can be acquired, that is, a sudden injury to the brainor cerebral palsy, in this case we are talking about a chronic affectation that has been generated during the brain development of the fetus.
Other conditions may be spinal cord damage. These damages occur when too much pressure is exerted or the supply of blood and oxygen is cut off.. Other damage can occur in the Spina bifida, in the most severe cases, can lead to physical disabilities such as paralysis of the lower limbs.
We also talk about multiple sclerosis, damage to the myelin sheath, which is the one that covers the spinal cord, can cause various symptoms. Finally, indicate damage to the muscles, giving muscular dystrophy a weakening and loss of muscle mass.
Intellectual disability
La Intellectual disability is characterized by the existence of limitation in intellectual functioning, in adaptive, conceptual and practical behavior.
Belonging to this type of disability we find the following:
- intellectual development disorder in which they are inside
- mild intellectual disability
- moderate intellectual disability
- severe intellectual disability
- Profound intellectual disability or multiple disabilities
- overall delay developmental
- Intellectual development disorder not otherwise specified
- Síndrome de Down
- Fragile X syndrome
- Angelman syndrome
- Prader-Will syndrome
sensory disabilities
In this type of disability we refer to those that affect one or several senses. Generally, the most recognized sensory disabilities are visual, which affects the ability to see, and hearing impairment, which is the one that damages the ability to hear.
Within the visual disability the following cases may occur:
- refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism
- Anterior pole pathologies: glaucoma
- Posterior pole pathologies: retinitis pigmentosa
- Pathologies of the optic pathway: optic nerve
On the other hand, as for the hearing impairment we find deafness and deaf-blindness syndrome.
Behavioral disorders
A disorder of this type is considered a pattern of behavior that becomes persistent, repetitive and inappropriate. ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, is characterized by behaviors or attitudes such as arguing with adults, deliberately doing negative things for others, being spiteful or vindictive.
- oppositional defiant disorder
- conduct disorder / conduct disorder
Severe communication and language disorders
In this case we talk about persistent difficulties in acquiring and using language; spoken, written, sign language or other.
Differential aspects in language development They are the ones indicated below:
- oral language development
- language delay
- TEL
- Dysphasias
- Infantile aphasia
- Selective mutism
- Alterations of written language
- Acquired and evolutionary dyslexia
- Dysgraphia and writing delay
To act correctly and create an effective and inclusive educational response, it is teamwork by educational professionals and families is essential. Since they are the fundamental pillars for a correct formation.