QQI Level 6 6N1957 Special Needs Assisting Assignment

You are required to carry out research on educational provision, inclusive education, behavioural interventions, curriculum implementation and the role of individual education plans for children with special educational needs in Ireland.

The headings, bolded below, should be used throughout your project: 

Educational Provision

• Evaluate the historical provision of education for children with special educational needs in Ireland.
• Assess the various educational options currently available in Ireland for children with special educational needs with reference to legislation, conventions and reports that have led to the current provision.

Inclusive Education

Evaluate the importance of the EPSEN Act 2004 in relation to the inclusion of children with special educational needs within the Irish educational system.

• Explore the differences between integration and inclusion in relation to the education of children with special educational needs.
• Analyse the issues and dilemmas concerning the concept of inclusive education.

Interventions And Behaviour Support Techniques

• Assess interventions and behaviour support techniques that may be used in the learning environment to support children with one of the following conditions:
  • Autism
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD)

• Discuss the importance of identifying the context in which a behaviour is occurs.
• Assess the difference between reactive and proactive approaches to behaviours that challenge.

Curriculum Implementation

• Explain the term differentiation and its importance in ensuring children with learning difficulties receive appropriate learning experiences.
• Discuss two ways in which the curriculum can be adapted for children with learning difficulties.
• Compare the similarities and differences between ‘Assessment for Learning’ and ‘Assessment of Learning’.

Individual Educational Planning

The SNA will often work as part of the MDT to develop a child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

• Outline the key elements of an Individual Educational Plan evaluating the role they play in the delivery of education for children with special educational needs.
• Evaluate the importance of the multidisciplinary team in devising and implementing Individual Education Plans.
• Discuss the role of the SNA in carrying out observations to support the implementation of the IEP and to report on a child’s process in terms of their IEP targets and goals.

Experts Answer on Above Questions on Education

Historical provision of education for children with SEN in Ireland Historically there were special schools for children with special educational needs and they were not included in mainstream education because of limited support services available. The main focus of the education system before 1990 was on disabilities rather than learning needs. However, the education act 1998, equal status act 2000 and the education for persons with special educational needs act 2004 introduce significant reforms which promoted equal educational opportunities.

Current educational options in Ireland

In mainstream schools, the students in Ireland receive support from SNAs, special education teachers and school support plans. In special classes such as autism classes, there are smaller teacher student ratios. Special school takes into consideration the complex intellectual, physical or multiple disabilities that need additional support. The home tuition is especially for those students who are unable to attend schools because of medical circumstances.

Key legislation and policies

The important legislation and policies applicable are the education act 1998, equal status act 2000 and the education for persons with special educational needs act 2004.

Inclusive education

Importance of the EPSEN Act 2004

This particular EPSEN Act 2004 is responsible for the introduction of legal principles requiring children with special educational needs be educated in mainstream school wherever possible. The main objective has been to support equal access to education, individualised support, multi disciplinary collaboration and parental involvement.

Integration versus inclusion

In integration the children adopts to the existing School environment whereas in inclusion, the school adopts to children needs. The focus in integration is on placement while it is on participation in case of inclusion.

Issues and dilemmas

The main issues and dilemmas are the shortage of special education teachers, limited specialist services in the rural areas, significant number of students requiring Autism support, and challenges in balancing inclusive classrooms with individual learning needs.

Intervention and behaviour support techniques

The behavioural interventions are needed in the form of visual schedules to help children with autism in understanding daily routines, positive reinforcement in terms of teachers regarding behaviours using praise, social stories to prepare children for unfamiliar school situations and structure teaching to support independence and task completion.

Importance of identifying behaviour context

It is highly important because it helps in communicating unmet needs. By way of identifying behaviours, antecedents and consequences, it becomes possible for the teachers to develop effective interventions.

Reactive versus Proactive approaches

In proactive approaches, the visual routine is established before the behaviour occurs, varies in reactive, the responses are taken after the challenges behaviour takes place. In Proactive, the emphasis is on teaching communication and self regulation skills, whereas in reactive, the escalation techniques are utilised during incidents.

Curriculum Implementation

Differentiation – differentiation takes into consideration the teaching methods that are aimed at meeting individual learning needs. It allows children with special educational needs to participate meaningfully in the curriculum.

Two curriculum adaptations

Task adaptation – the student with learning difficulties are supported with providing simple instructions, reducing the length of the task, or providing additional visual support.
Assistive technology – students are supported to participate independently using speech to text software, communication devices and reading applications.

Assessment for learning vs assessment of learning

The assessment for learning is conducted during learning whereas the assessment of learning is conducted after learning. In assessment for learning, feedback is given to improve progress, whereas in assessment of learning, it measures achievement after learning outcomes.

Individual educational planning

Key elements of an individual educational plan

The key elements are the profile of the student and its strengths, specific learning needs, SMART learning goals, teaching strategies, classroom accommodation, review dates, role of parents and professionals.

Importance of multi disciplinary team

The multidisciplinary team comprises parents, class teachers, special education teachers, special need assistants, educational psychologist and occupational therapist.

Role of the special needs assistant

This special needs assistant supports the implementation of IEP by observing the engagement of children during classroom activities, recording progress towards the IEP targets, assisting with communication under teacher’s direction and reporting observations to the class teacher.

Want Detailed Answers with References?

An analysis of Ireland special education needs by taking into consideration EPSEN act, inclusive education, behaviour support, curriculum adaptation and individual education plan revealed important findings above which can be used to improve learning opportunities for children with special needs. If you are looking for assistance with a similar kind of assignment, visit our Ireland assignment help page to get professional support from experts. Also access the expert solved assignment answers from Open College Ireland.