Special education in the schools often unintentionally overlooks a key aspect of why students are suffer from learning disabilities. Main reasons for common learning disabilities are the weak cognitive skills. Studies show that 75% of the students enrolled in special education at some minimum level suffer from underlying weak cognitive skills. Cognitive skills are mental capabilities that one needs to successfully learn academic subject. These students are not to be confused with academic skills which would include some subjects like history, science and math.
Today, a number of special schools have opened up across the country and the best possible education is now available to all disadvantaged students. Well qualified special educators have undertake this challenging & important task. Now a large number of subsidies and grants are also available to the sector.
Special education is a very vast and specialized field. Mostly educators generally choose to specialize in specific area of work and want to gain further experience and deep knowledge in that field. Options available for specialization include:
• Physically challenged students
• Hearing challenged students
• Mentally challenged students
Basic Role of Special Educators
Special educators have so much responsibilities. Teaching does form the most important part of the special educator's job. In addition to teaching, the educator is involved in extra vocational, sports-related and curricular activities. Mostly a time, children who needs special education and parents also look upon experienced educators as counselors. Lots of special educators possess degrees in social work, child psychology and counseling.
Today a lot of openings are available in special schools run by the various societies such as the Spastic Society of India or several state governments, clinics, rehabilitation centers and a large number of non governmental organizations as well as private sector as teachers also.
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