This document discusses different types of special needs including physical, developmental, behavioral/emotional, and sensory impairments. It outlines specific conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and hearing or sight impairments. The document also notes that each family's concerns will vary depending on the type of special needs their child has. Finally, it provides an overview of laws like IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and No Child Left Behind that protect the rights of students with disabilities.

1. THE PERSON WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS
Prepared by: Charlton Bernabe
Maribeth Gorospe

2. CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS
Special needs are commonly defined by what a child
can't do—milestones unmet, foods banned, activities
avoided, or experiences denied. These hindrances can
hit families hard and may make special needs seem like
a tragic designation.
Some parents will always mourn their child's lost
potential, and some conditions become more troubling
with time. Other families may find that their child's
challenges make triumphs sweeter and that weaknesses
are often accompanied by amazing strengths.

3. KIDS WHO MIGHT NEED EXTRA HELP
Isn't every kid special? We think so. But what do we
mean when we say "kids with special needs"? This
means any kid who might need extra help because of
a medical, emotional, or learning problem. These
kids have special needs because they might need
medicine, therapy, or extra help in school — stuff
other kids don't typically need or only need once in a
while.

4. EACH FAMILY HAS DIFFERENT CONCERNS
Pick any two families of children with special needs
and they may seem to have little in common. A
family dealing with developmental delays will have
different concerns than one dealing with chronic
illness. These families will have different anxieties
than one dealing with mental illness, learning
problems, or behavioral challenges.

5. PHYSICAL SPECIAL NEEDS
Whether someone is born with a physical special
need or they develop this need as they age, having a
strong grasp on the facts will serve to ensure the
individual’s safety and success in life. A person who is
born with a physical special need may have an innate
ability to adapt to the world around them, whereas
someone thrust into or who gradually develops a
physical special need may have a tougher time
establishing their new normal.

6. PHYSICAL SPECIAL NEEDS
 Allergies and asthma: Allergies are common and often come from
environmental factors, like pollen count or food sensitivities. Acute allergies
may produce a hypersensitive reaction known as anaphylaxis.
 Limb differences: Someone may be born with a differently developed limb or
they may lose a limb later in life, and both require adapting to the world
around them.
 Cerebral palsy: CP is a permanent disorder resulting from brain injuries that
occur during fetal development, birth or shortly thereafter. With CP, motor
skills are disrupted, and the individual sometimes experiences paralysis or
seizures.
 Epilepsy: Those with epilepsy have a tendency to have recurring seizures.
Seizures are caused by a sudden burst of electrical brain activity and thus
cause a temporary disruption in the messages passing between brain cells.

7. DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL NEEDS
Delays in development are typically apparent
very early in life, but some aren’t obvious until
a person reaches a certain level in their
education. Early intervention is key for
managing a developmental special need.

8. DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL NEEDS
 Down Syndrome: This genetic condition is caused by the presence of
an extra chromosome in a person’s DNA and occurs by chance at
conception.
 Autism: Verbal and nonverbal communication can be affected by
autism, which is typically evident before age 3. Where a person falls on
the autism spectrum can affect their educational performance and social
interaction.
 Dyslexia: This learning disability alters the way the brain processes the
written word. Those with dyslexia have difficulty reading, writing and
spelling.

9. BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL SPECIAL NEEDS
Behavioral and emotional disorders fall under the rubric of
"Emotional Disturbance," "Emotional Support," "Severely
Emotionally Challenged," or other state designations.
"Emotional Disturbance" is the descriptive designation for
behavioral and emotional disorders in the Federal Law, the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Emotional disturbances are those that occur over an extended
period and prevent children from succeeding educationally or
socially in a school setting.

10. DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL NEEDS
 Dissociation: This mental process can cause a lack of connection in someone’s
thoughts, memory or sense of identity. There are varying levels of dissociation,
with severe or chronic forms resulting in multiple personality disorders or
other dissociative disorders.
 Obsessive compulsive disorder: Those with OCD have obsessions or
excessive thoughts that lead to repetitive, compulsive behaviors.
 Attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder: About 5 percent of school-aged
children are affected by this challenging disorder. The earlier the diagnosis the
better, as ADD and ADHD can adversely affect a child’s educational experience.
 Eating disorders: Someone with abnormal eating habits — be they
insufficient or excessive — can be categorized as having an eating disorder.
These disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, can affect someone’s physical and
emotional health.

11. SENSORY-IMPAIRED SPECIAL NEEDS
People with sensory disabilities or special needs can
be aided in learning and communication through
technological and social advancements like auxiliary
aids and adaptive equipment — a highly trained
service dog or a Type-N-Speak, for example.
Accommodations at schools and workplaces across
the country are made for individuals with sensory
impairments.

12. SENSORY-IMPAIRED SPECIAL NEEDS
 Sight-impaired: Blindness and loss of sight can be managed and
diagnosed by an eye doctor. An assistive technologist can develop
a more thorough plan if impairment persists.
 Hearing-impaired: Deafness and loss of hearing can affect the
way an individual learns and processes. An ear, nose and throat
specialist and assistive technologist can help.
 Sensory processing disorder: A person with this disorder has
difficulty receiving and responding to information from the senses:
vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste. They may have a heightened
or lower sensitivity to stimuli like tolerating light, being touched,
maintaining eye contact and loud noises. This can be a disorder on
its own, or it may be a characteristic of another special need like
autism, dyslexia, MS or Tourette syndrome.

13. Is Your Child Being Treated Humanely? Know
Your Rights.
1. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Students with disabilities must be prepared for
further education, employment and independent
living
If a child’s strengths, endurance, or stamina
cannot keep up with school activities, they qualify
for “other health impaired” special education
status

14. Is Your Child Being Treated Humanely? Know
Your Rights.
2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Prohibits schools from discriminating against
children with disabilities
Requires schools to provide accommodations for
disabled students
Students with impairments that substantially limit
a major life activity can qualify as disabled
(learning and social deficits too)

15. Is Your Child Being Treated Humanely? Know
Your Rights.
3. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Schools must meet the needs of children with
psychiatric problems
4. No Child Left Behind
Schools must uphold achievement standards for
children with disabilities