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Special Needs Learning Tools

Children with special needs require special tools to meet those needs. While the most important tools are the child's parents and teachers, there are a number of other resources that can also provide direction, support and ideas with the purpose of helping children learn. In addition to achieving a positive and effective learning environment, it is also necessary to provide individualized attention to each child, always staying within the scope of their abilities while teaching.

  1. Environmental Tools

    • Keeping the educational environment controlled and appropriate is the first step to providing a positive and effective learning experience. Specific, repetitive environments are helpful when trying to help a child maintain a sense of calm and order. Special areas for quiet work versus louder activities can empower a child and help you reinforce appropriate volumes. A specific area for when a child is feeling overwhelmed and needs a space away from other children is also a helpful environmental tool.

    Auditory Tools

    • While most people think of using songs and music with very young children, it can be an effective tool for older children with special needs or disabilities as well. Repetitive actions and sounds can help children more easily recall important instructions or safety rules. Upbeat music can also be useful for socializing while slower, instrumental music can help children get and stay calm.

    Manipulative Tools

    • Most people best retain information by engaging in hands-on activity, yet too often this is limited to very young children as well. Older children, especially those with special needs, can master a number of skills and grasp concepts with the aid of manipulatives. Math manipulatives are the most common, when virtually anything can be added, subtracted, divided or multiplied. For English lessons, index cards with different words can be moved around to discover the many different sentences you can make with the same words. Science should use as many manipulatives as possible. Life lessons can also be taught with manipulatives: cooking, cleaning and handling money, for instance, are also important skills to be taught to those with special needs.

    Internet Tools

    • There are never-ending options available online to help teachers and parents with educating kids with special needs. From assessment forms to lesson plans and computer skills to socialization tools, the Internet has brought the wisdom of experienced teachers to the masses, usually for free. There are also message boards to provide both teaching and emotional support to caregivers and educators of special needs children. See the resource section below for tools that are all available online.

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