Education Commons^™

Harmonizing Social Emotional Learning For Students With Special Needs, Deema Shihadih

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Students with intellectual disabilities (ID) typically face difficulties with social emotional skill sets, yet many classrooms for students with ID do not incorporate social emotional learning in the curriculum. Modifying SEL programs to fit the needs of students may be an improved solution, however, little research exists exploring the effects of modifying various SEL programs to fit the needs of students with intellectual disabilities (ID). This research explores the benefits of modifying multiple social emotional learning (SEL) programs to best fit the needs of students with intellectual disabilities. Qualitative methods were used in order to investigate how SEL programs and …

The Effects Of A Mindfulness-Based Intervention On Middle School Special Education Students, Michelle Castillo

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Abstract

Adolescence is a vulnerable period to a child’s emotional and social environment due to the puberty-related changes in hormones, which has an effect on their judgement, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Middle school students face several daily stressors at school, at home, and in their communities. Although adolescents face stressors in and out of school, a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) can be beneficial. This research focuses on the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on Latino middle school special education students in regards to their attention and behavior in general education classes as well as their self-perception. While prior studies address …

Language Interventions And Social-Emotional Learning Helps Students Who Are Emotionally Disturbed, Megan Walsh

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Students who are classified as being Emotionally Disturbed (ED) often struggle in the general education classroom setting because they do not receive the proper support to be the most successful. Many teachers do not understand how to work with these students due to a lack of training and understanding of the disability. Additionally, these students who typically have behavioral issues will continue to act out without forming interpersonal relationships with their teacher. Although research has demonstrated some understanding of working with these students, few studies have explored the use of language interventions and social-emotional learning to promote positive student-teacher relationships. …

Life Skills For Life-Long Learners: Teaching Functional Skills To Elementary Students With Special Needs, Emily H. Derecat

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Though extensive studies exist regarding teaching life skills at the middle school and high school level in special education to support transition, a comparable amount of research is still needed to support the need for the use of life skills-based programs in elementary special education programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate how a six-week intervention using research-based practices to target specific life skills impacted 2nd - 5th grade students with moderate to severe disabilities. The skill areas that were targeted: hygiene (hand-washing), social skills (appropriate greetings) and money skills (collecting money). The life skills were worked on …

How To Better Support Individuals Who Have A Special Needs Sibling, Lauren Mcdonell

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

The purpose of this study was to understand the emotions of a neurotypically developing sibling. This study also attempted to understand how caregivers can best support the neurotypical sibling in the areas of self-concept and overall wellbeing. The gap is knowledge is how to better support neurotypical developing siblings specifically in the areas of self-concept and overall well being. Three participants were interviewed to gain insight about their experiences with their special needs sibling. Participants who participated in a support group for neurotypical developing children with a SNS were surveyed to gain insight about their experiences with the support group. …

Fertile Ground: The Impact Of The Natural Learning Environment On The Social/Emotional Development Of Students With Autism And/Or Sensory Processing Disorder, Denise Elizabeth West

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

This research was carried out to determine the impact of a natural learning environment on the social/emotional development of students with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder. For the sake of this research, social/emotional development consisted of social behavior, communication, and participation/engagement. A review of the literature revealed that students with sensory processing issues have difficulty processing stimuli which are unnatural and intensified. The acoustics and set-up of a traditional classroom are characterized by confinement, harsh lighting/volume conditions, and other habitual triggers for sensory discomfort. The natural learning environment can provide students with natural stimuli, fresh air, natural acoustics, natural lighting, …

The Role Of Administrative Support In The Retention Of Special Education Teachers, Atinart Koonkongsatian

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Administrative support towards special education teachers can be a determining factor towards their success in regards to teacher retention, motivation, and overall happiness. Special education teachers face large amounts of paperwork, meetings, and other administrative duties that they are expected to complete in addition to the various teaching duties required as well. The amount of work given can lead to feelings of stress, inadequacy, and most importantly, a lack of desire to continue working in the field of special education. The quantity and quality of administrative support towards special education teachers can play an important role in the retention, motivation, …

Understanding The Learning & Advocacy Needs Of A Twice-Exceptional Student Through A Strengths-Based Lens: A Case Study In California, Lisa Krausz

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Twice-exceptional students possess both high ability and learning disabilities. Due to the complex interaction of their gifts and disabilities, these students present challenges to both educators and parents alike in identifying and understanding their learning and growth needs. Most educators adopt a deficit approach when working with these learners; new research, however, calls for multi-dimensional, strengths-based approaches in order to more effectively engage these students into positive school experiences and academic growth. Strength-based approaches draw upon an understanding of the student’s strengths, interests, and talents to entice them into both more rewarding and difficult work; it also calls for a …

The Benefits Of Music Education In The Mild To Moderate Special Education Classroom, Grades 3-5, Kimberly Lloyd

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Though extensive studies exist regarding the use of the arts in general education settings, a comparable amount of research is still needed to support the need for the use of the arts in special education settings. This research project investigated how a once a week music class impacted 3rd-5th grade students with mild to moderate disabilities in developing their academic, social and behavioral goals as identified in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This qualitative research study utilized multiple data forms, including classroom observations of both music and non-music instruction and interviews with teachers, artists, and parents throughout the course of …

The Benefits Of Music Education On Academic, Behavioral, And Communicative Skills With Middle School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sarah V. Foley

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Music education has an important place for students with special needs. Through community based arts education programs, student benefits range from social to academic. The problem is that too often music education, among arts programs, is not taught in special education classrooms. The purpose of this study was to identify benefits that music education has on students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing specifically on academic, behavioral, and communicative skills.

A review of the literature revealed that music is beneficial to students in a variety of ways, when they are provided the opportunity to engage in music education. Through this …

Youth In Arts: Evidence Of Effectiveness Their Music Program Has On Communication And Social Aspects Of Students With Special Needs, Sarah V. Foley

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Music education has an important place for students with special needs. Through the Youth in Arts program, student benefits range from social to academic. The problem is that too often music education, among arts programs, is not taught in special education classrooms. The purpose of this study is to measure the impact that music education has on students with special needs, focusing specifically on socialization and communication aspects. A review of the literature revealed that music is beneficial to students in a variety of ways, when they are provided the opportunity to engage in music education. Through this qualitative study, …

From Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder To Substance Use Disorder: Perspectives From Recovering Addicts, Elena Potovsky

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

People who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often at high risk of acquiring Substance Use Disorder (SUD). When a diagnosis is determined for a school age child, the special education team mainly focuses on the most obvious problems that occur with ADHD: executive function issues, reading and writing impairments, and disruptive behavior. They may not realize how common it is for those identified with ADHD to also acquire SUD.

The literature revealed that there may be a shared genetic basis between ADHD and SUD, that there is commonly an early onset of SUD for those who have ADHD, …

Research In Special Education: Implications For Practice, Sarah Rushworth, Shannon Ward, Anna M. Veelman, Kristen Wimpee

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Identifying How to Better Support Parents of Children with Autism by Sarah Rushworth

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is collection of neurological disorders affecting communication, social, and behavioral development (Nealy, 2012). More and more children are being diagnosed as having ASD each year in America. Today, 1 in every 110 children in the United States has autism (Nealy, 2012). The families of these children with autism must learn how to cope with the challenges that come along with the disorder. These challenges include lacking social and communication skills, which can lead to difficult behaviors. Raising a child with autism is associated …

Analysis Of Data On The Effect Of Early Intervention For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Catherine R. Maxwell Dumont

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Early Intervention promotes preschool age children, identified on the autism spectrum, with increased independence and positive social skills in the classroom. Preschool children who do not have access to such programs tend to display negative and socially inappropriate behavior, such as acts of aggression, withdrawal, and inability to attend to lessons. Lovaas as cited in Eikeseth and Smith (2011) is referred to as the pioneer of Early Intervention, who dedicated almost fifty years of his life to improving the lives of families among the autism community. Lovaas’ studies were the first documented to indicate that children who received early intensive …

Resource Program Model For Students With Special Needs In A Local Catholic K-8 School Setting, Allison A. Pheatt

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Many students with special needs are enrolled in private, Catholic schools and are included in the general education classroom. In most cases, these schools do not have the necessary resources or information on how best to serve these students. The purpose of this study is to document strategies and services that can be implemented in a resource model for a private, Catholic school K-8 setting to serve students with special needs.

A review of the literature revealed that teachers in a Catholic school setting, as well as parents, are not aware of how to work with and best serve students …

Giving A Voice To Parent/Guardians/Caregivers Od Students With Special Needs Within The K-12 Education System In A Suburban School District, Sara Cofiell

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Parents/guardians and caregivers who have children enrolled within support programs such as speech, OT, specialized support instruction, etc., may not fully comprehend the importance of the role they play in supporting their child’s education. Often they show up to their child's annual IEP (Individualized Education Program) and listen in silence. They may feel it is impossible to comprehend the process and/or the language used in the meeting, leaving parents/guardians and caregivers voiceless and at a loss as how to serve as an advocate for their child. “Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children …

From Adhd To Substance Abuse; Perspectives From Recovering Addicts, Elena Potovsky

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Abstract People who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often at high risk of becoming substance abusers. Recovering addicts with both conditions provide a unique perspective on this phenomenon by sharing their insight. When a diagnosis is determined for a school age child, the Special Education teams mainly focus on the most obvious problems that occur with ADHD: executive function issues, reading and writing impairments, and disruptive behavior. They may not realize how common it is for those identified with ADHD to also become substance abusers, particularly due to school performance problems and difficulties in social adaptation. The literature …