Special Needs Assisting

Learning Outcome

LO 1 Evaluate the provision of education for people with special educational needs with reference to current legislation
LO 2 Assess the various educational options available in Ireland for people with special educational needs
LO 3 Examine relevant theories, skills and processes relevant to curriculum implementation
LO 4 Explore the differences between integration and inclusion
LO 6 Evaluate the importance of the multidisciplinary team in devising Individual Education Plans
LO 7 Analyse skills that can be used to aid the teacher in the administration of the national curriculum.
LO10 Identify strategies for dealing with stressors within the workplace

Part 1 – Exploration Of The Impairment/Condition/Syndrome

Introduction to include:

• A description of the impairment/condition/syndrome Marks)
• Possible developmental concerns
• Possible behavioural concerns

Detailed exploration of the following concepts:

• The concepts of integration and inclusion and the difference
  between them.
• Benefits, challenges and barriers to inclusion – with particular
  focus on the condition you are exploring.

Explain the educational options currently available with particular focus on the child and condition you are exploring to include:

• Organisational stakeholders and their functions.
• Educational options from preschool to post primary.
• Continuum of Support.

Consider additional supports available – with particular focus on the condition you are exploring to include:

Assessment.

•  Health support.
• Grants.
•  SNA allocations.
•  Additional supports for the condition (e.g. AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland).

Part 2 – Education Provision And Curriculum Implementation

●Analyse the provision of education to individuals with additional needs with particular focus on the child and condition your are exploring in relation to:

• Discuss 3 items of Legislation or Policy regarding special educational needs.
• Discuss 3 items of Equality Legislation or Policy
• Outline 2 Learning Theories underpinning curriculum implementation from early childhood to post primary.
• Define Differentiation and how it applies to the condition you are exploring.
• Discuss 2 Teaching Strategies to support Differentiation – with particular focus on the child and condition you are exploring.
• Describe Communication supports – with particular focus on the child and condition you are exploring.
• Discuss Individual Education Plans, benefits of IEPs, members of MDT and importance of having MDT involvement along with the teacher, SNA and parents.
• Discuss causes of stress for the SNA and provide examples of
  2 strategies to address workplace stress for the SNA.