UNIT 7: Overview: What is Inclusive Education?

Unit 7: Special Needs and Inclusive Education



 overviewOverview

What is inclusive education? 

“Historically, persons with disabilities in Rwanda suffered stigmatization, isolation and segregation and were denied their rights to education. It is only after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that the government of Rwanda committed to leave no one behind. 

Inclusive Education was then adopted as a means to give rights to education to all children including those with disabilities”. (Special Education Needs Student Book Year 1, TTCs, REB). 

Inclusive Education is emphasised in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2024), especially in priorities 5 and 7. Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) is committed to “overriding differences based on ethnicity, religion, socio-economic backgrounds;  gender, disability, health status, or any other marginalizing distinctions.”

‘’Inclusion is creating a community in your classroom that includes both students with and without disabilities. Research shows us that not only is inclusion ‘best practice’, but it benefits all children, and should be part of your overall classroom management strategy.’’ (Alison White, Education Specialist)
Here are some types of Special Needs and Disabilities explained
Name of disability or special need
Common classroom symptoms
blindness
  • limited vision, not able to see (well or at all)
deafness
  • limited hearing, not able to hear (well or at all)
auditory processing disorder/s
  • difficulty recognising subtle differences in sounds or words
  • trouble differentiating which direction a sound comes from
  • finding it hard to block out background noise
  • difficulty making sense of the order of sounds
  • may process thoughts slowly
  • trouble understanding metaphors, jokes and sarcasm
dyscalculia
  • difficulty understanding numbers and learning math facts
  • poor understanding of math symbols, including positive/negative, place value, number lines
  • has trouble sequencing events or information
  • difficulty telling time
  • trouble counting, making change or counting money
  • struggles with recognising patterns
  • finds it challenging to organise numbers on a page
dysgraphia
  • illegible handwriting
  • inconsistent spacing when writing
  • trouble with spelling
  • difficulty with writing
  • difficulty with writing/thinking at the same time
  • uses unusual grip on writing instruments
  • slow when copying information
dyslexia
  • deficits in reading fluency, reads slowly
  • difficulty with decoding words
  • may reverse order of letters
  • difficulty with reading comprehension and remembering what was read
  • difficulty with writing and spelling
  • trouble recalling known words
  • substitutes sight words in a sentence
dyspraxia
  • difficulty with fine motor skills
  • problems with hand-eye coordination, balance and manual dexterity.
 ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
  •  daydreams a lot
  • forgets or loses things (frequently)
  • cannot sit still 
  • talks too much or interrupts when others are talking
  • makes careless mistakes or takes unnecessary risks
  • has a hard time resisting temptation
  • has trouble taking turns
  • has difficulty getting along with others
 autism
  •  delayed speech development
  • becomes obsessed with certain subjects or objects
  • prefers to play alone
  • hyperactivity
  • rejects hugs and cuddles
  • sleep problems
  • has challenges in understanding other people's emotions
  • difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication

Last modified: Wednesday, 23 August 2023, 2:20 PM