Children who find it difficult to communicate may express their frustration in bad temper or aggressive behaviour.  This may mean keeping a note of what leads up to the bad behaviour; in other words, trying to establish the triggers. Try to keep the classrooms structured and keep the child aware of the pattern of the …
Read More Teaching pupils with Cerebral Palsy

In order to assess learning in the classroom, pupils who are unable to write may well be able to mark with a pen or pencil. Multiple choice answers could be used. Record sheets can be devised to tick when activities have been completed etc. Many of these children will require therapy of one sort or …
Read More Customizing the curriculum for severe or complex needs

Encourage the child to take part in exercise wherever possible, especially swimming. Consider using lighter equipment for games etc. Let the child choose whether or not to have adult help to perform a task. Encourage him/her to make his/her own decisions, e.g. “Let me know if you need your coat and if you want help …
Read More Teaching pupils with Muscular Dystrophy

In some schools breakfast and lunch clubs appear to be effective.  Pupils are paired with volunteers from higher ability classes.  Special libraries of graded books are used and pupils work their way through them.  Records are kept and pupils/tutors make a note for each book read.  Certificates and progress awards are presented. To teach spelling …
Read More Teaching pupils with Moderate Learning difficulties

Try to ensure that the child is sitting in an upright position with both feet flat on the  floor. If possible try to give him/her a sloping surface to write on. The child should be seated away from doors and windows where there might be distractions.  He/she should be close enough to hear and see …
Read More Teaching pupils with Dyspraxia

Don’t expect the child to recite tables or other facts. Give him/her concrete reference materials wherever possible, e.g. a number square or calculator. Teach pupils to follow a given method with steps for problem solving. Provide wall charts/maths dictionaries etc. with maths language definitions. Put a list of numbers and their spellings on a prompt …
Read More Teaching a child with Dyscalculia

Try to have the classroom as quiet as possible. Make sure you are facing the child directly when speaking to him/her or the class including him/her. Try to encourage the child to speak in short phrases. Give him/her enough time to say what he/she wants to. If you need him/her to repeat words, make it …
Read More Teaching pupils with Dysarthia

Although there is considerable variation among individual children, the most common educational implications for children with Down’s Syndrome are as follows: Strong visual awareness and visual learning skills Desire and ability to learn from peers Delayed gross and fine motor skills (with subsequent difficulty with writing, using scissors etc) Hearing and visual impairment is common …
Read More Down’s Syndrome – Classroom strategies

It is important to realise that fractures can be caused by normal behaviour such as shutting a door; teachers will not be held responsible if such a fracture happens in school. A child with this condition may have to spend a lot of time in hospital so it is important to try to provide continuity …
Read More Teaching pupils with Brittle Bone Disease

All children will challenge rules and authority at times often just to test the boundaries, and althought they break the rules and say they hate them, children need rules to make them feel secure. To teach young children how to behave you can try to make it like a game; for example when you want …
Read More Managing behaviourally challenged pupils