I use 'diverse' instead of 'special' because the later brings much meaning in education for diverse children. Special children is commonly refers to children with different ability in learning from the so call normal group of children. However, among the 'specilal' needs, there is a wide spectrum of difference from one individual to another. That's why, using 'diverse' is much precise.
Teaching diverse learners, it is important that the teacher has to start communicating with the child before any subject matter being brought to the child.
How to communicate with children with learning disabilities like autism, ADHD, hiperactive and down syndrome? Back to the very ordinary method - talking to them. Taliking to them like talking to any other children. When we want them to behave, we can tell them in a pleasant way : " We are going to the supermarket, can you behave and not running away...". And make sure that they listen. Bring the face to us, look into their eyes, lower the pitch and keep the command short and clear.
Always prepare the child before any event as much as possible. Slowly as we can get controll of the child, then we can start teaching.
Teaching to diverse learners is different. to be able to communicate is the first thing to do. Hope you can try. Mostly the parents are diverse learners' best educator!
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