How Special Education After School Programs Can Benefit Students?
Special education, after school programs are there to help children with special needs or disabilities excel in school. These programs are implemented in all state and federal governments for students with special needs and disabilities. There are different types of special education after school programs, such as individualized education programs, autism programs, dyslexia programs, hearing loss programs and ADD/ADHD programs. Each one is designed to help the children who have special needs in a fun and effective manner.
The whole concept of special education is that it provides a special education course to the children who would otherwise not receive an equal opportunity to learn in regular schools. Normally, special education classes are offered in preschools up to seventh grade. There are also some special education classes, which are only available in elementary schools like those for students with special needs.
The special education classes help the students to overcome the obstacles they may encounter in life and to learn the necessary skills that they need to cope up with the society. In many countries, special education classes are optional. In the United States, the public schools provide special services for students with special needs like academic tutoring, special education teachers, adaptive training, cultural sensitivity training and social and emotional support.
The main objective of special education after school programs is to promote social and emotional growth, improve self-esteem and prepare the students for kindergarten and other regular classes. Special education programs focus on the skills, knowledge, resources and equipment required to ensure the full participation of the child in the classroom and to enrich his knowledge of the academic subjects and the skills needed for everyday activities. These programs are facilitated by trained teachers, counselors and parents. These teachers are professionals with expertise in teaching and learning disabilities who hold teaching qualifications approved by government agencies and education organizations like the Council of Special Education Programs or CDEP. They teach the special education after school curriculum at the local school level and guide the parents and the students through the process of learning disability education.
The special education classes help the children to improve their social and emotional skills and build their confidence to face the challenges posed by the students around them. These classes also provide the students with the opportunity to participate in practical classes such as art, sports, dance, music and other creative activities. The special education after school programs also include the process of English language acquisition by the students. Special education programs for students with special needs to enable them to learn and improve their academic performance, develop their self-esteem and prepare them for college life.
In the United States, the National Association of School Psychologists recommends the involvement of families, teachers and school employees in the process of choosing a special education after school program. The families and the teachers play an important role in selecting a suitable special education after school program by conducting a complete review of the family’s situation, including the needs, abilities and preferences. The special education after school programs are also designed keeping in mind the special needs of the students. The programs are developed in line with the developmental needs of the children and include various forms of extra-curricular activities that promote the overall mental and physical development of the child.
