In addition to their teaching and instructional responsibilities, educators are faced with an increasing amount of paperwork and research demands. While creating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) is essential for supporting student growth, special education teachers can become overwhelmed and stressed when they are also responsible for developing lesson plans, writing reports, completing billing forms, and managing a specialized curriculum for special education students, among other tasks.

Lack of support

Special education teachers are faced with the challenge of doing more with limited resources, especially when school districts are experiencing significant growth. In some areas, these teachers are also facing wage reductions, and school administrations may not provide sufficient technical support.

Professional isolation 

Special education teachers have unique roles that differ from traditional classroom teachers, which may lead some regular classroom teachers to not see them as equal partners. There can be societal stereotypes associated with the task of instructing students with learning differences, which can create misconceptions about the complexity and significance of special education teachers’ jobs. These teachers often work in small teams and prioritize skills development over content delivery, giving the impression that their job is easier or less important.

What is the latest innovation in special education?

Innovations for deaf education 

Three pioneers in Kenya, Rwanda, the Philippines, and Nicaragua have been recognized by the ACR GCD’s Sign On For Literacy program for providing sign language access to deaf children. These initiatives have significantly enhanced children’s access to advanced linguistic and literacy lessons and local sign languages. To promote inclusive education during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenyan winner, eKitabu, has incorporated sign language clips into daily television episodes now being broadcasted in Kenya.

VR and AR integration 

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) offer interactive learning activities that promote active engagement among children with special needs. These VLEs make the learning process more interesting and allow students to practice their responses in different social situations, which can be challenging in a traditional classroom setting. Moreover, these activities can be customized to cater to the specific needs of each student, making them highly effective for personalized and long-term learning outcomes.

Early screening with AI

Using artificial intelligence (AI), many researchers are utilizing advanced methods to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These early screenings benefit parents, teachers, and other professionals involved with the child, as it allows them to make necessary preparations for creating an individualized education plan (IEP) right from the start.

An excellent example of this in action is the application program mCLASS. For approximately 20 years, this program has been utilized to assess students’ reading abilities in schools. However, the recent enhancement made by the program’s creator, Amplify, is particularly intriguing. Now, mCLASS can also conduct dyslexia screenings, further expanding its functionality.