Special Educational Needs of Learners (SEN)

Special Educational Needs of Learners (SEN) is a term used to describe students who require extra support and assistance in their education due to a disability, learning difficulty, or any other condition that affects their ability to learn. Students with SEN may have a range of disabilities, such as physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional.

INTRODUCTION (Special Educational Needs of Learners)

Special educational needs (SEN) refers to students who require extra help and support in their learning due to a disability or learning difficulty. Teachers and professionals work together to provide specialized teaching methods, extra support, and tools to help these students succeed. The goal is to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to learn and do well in school.

When it comes to learners with disabilities, special educational needs may refer to a range of specific conditions or impairments, such as visual, hearing or physical impairments, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or mental health conditions. The type and level of support required may vary depending on the individual’s needs and the severity of their disability.

Learners with disabilities may require specialized accommodations, such as assistive technology, modified learning materials, or one-on-one support from a special education teacher. The goal of special education is to ensure that all learners have equal opportunities to access education and to achieve their full potential, regardless of their disabilities or impairments.

Definitions of Special Educational Needs of Learners

Here are some definitions of special educational needs given by experts in the field:

UNKNOWN
Special educational needs (SEN) refers to students who require additional support and accommodations in their learning due to a disability or learning difficulty.

SEN Definition by department for Education, UK
“Special educational needs are needs that arise from a disability or learning difficulty that makes it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age.”

SEN definition by Kirk

An SEN learner deviates from the normal average children in mental, physical, and social characteristics to such an extent that he requires a modification of school practices, special education services, or supplementary instructions to develop to his maximum capacity.

SEN definition by William M. Cruickshank
SEN learner is one who deviates physically, intellectually and socially so marked by normal growth and development that he cannot benefit from regular classroom programs and needs special treatment in school.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), US
“Special educational needs refer to significant limitations in a student’s ability to learn that require modifications to the regular education program.”

Characteristics of Learners with Special Educational needs (SEN)

The characteristics of learners with special educational needs (SEN) can vary widely depending on the individual’s disability or learning difficulty. However, some common characteristics of SEN learners may include:

1. Difficulty with communication: Learners with SEN may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, understanding language, or using language to socialize with others.

2. They are not Normal: They deviate from normal growth in terms of physical, mental, social, and emotional growth.

3. Challenges with academic skills: Learners with SEN may struggle with basic academic skills such as reading, writing, and math.

4. Need of Special Education: They require special education and cannot be benefited from regular classrooms.

5. Difficulty with socialization: Learners with SEN may have trouble interacting with their peers and building relationships due to social or emotional challenges.

6. Modification in Schools: SEN learners required modification in normal schools to increase their potential.

7. Sensory issues: Learners with SEN may be sensitive to certain sensory stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights, which can affect their ability to focus and learn.

8. They Belong Extremes: An SEN learner belongs to both extremes of physical, mental, social, emotional, and educational achievements.

9. Behavioral challenges: Learners with SEN may exhibit challenging behaviors, such as aggression, impulsivity, or hyperactivity, which can interfere with their learning and socialization.

10. Physical challenges: Learners with SEN may have physical disabilities that affect their mobility or ability to perform certain tasks, such as writing or manipulating objects.

Different Needs of SEN Learners

The different needs of learners with special educational needs (SEN) can vary widely depending on the individual’s disability or learning difficulty.

However, some common needs of SEN learners include:

1. Physical and psychological needs:

The degree of impairment of SEN learners has to be detected, diagnosed, and classified to avoid secondary impairments and delays in identification and treatment. SEN learners need devices to assist and support them to get educational opportunities in a better way and to get a better adjustment in school and society.

For example, a learner with low vision needs spectacles, magnifying glasses, or books with bold prints. A blind learner needs braille books, slates, and sheets. A physically impaired learner needs a wheelchair or crutch. A hearing-impaired learner needs hearing AIDS etc.

2. Social and Emotional needs

SEN learners have to be taught in all possible ways to make them socially ready for the future and they should be treated equally in society. The social needs of SEN are related to their self-respect and identification in mainstream society. They need to have a positive interactive relationship with others. they want acceptance in society.

Society should be able to motivate and encourage SEN learners so that they may succeed in life. Awareness should be raised among the people to respect and increase the rights of SEN learners. Societies should motivate and build equal opportunity places for s e n learners. Their involvement should be compulsory in making every decision.

In short learners with SEN may require social and emotional support, such as counseling or therapy, to help them manage their emotions, build social skills, and cope with the challenges of their disability or learning difficulty.

3. Extra support with academic skills

Learners with SEN may require additional support and specialized instruction to develop their literacy, numeracy, or other academic skills.

4. Requirement of Assistive technology

Some learners with SEN may benefit from assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software, alternative keyboards, or magnification tools, to help them access the curriculum and complete academic tasks.

5. Accommodations and modifications to the curriculum

Learners with SEN may require adaptations to the curriculum, such as simplified language, visual aids, or extended time for completing assignments, to help them access learning and participate fully in the educational experience.

6. Individualized teaching approaches

Learners with SEN may benefit from individualized teaching approaches, such as multi-sensory instruction, hands-on activities, or task analysis, to help them learn and retain information.

7. Accessible physical environment

Learners with physical disabilities may require adaptations to the physical environment, such as wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, or specialized furniture, to ensure that they can access the classroom and participate fully in school activities.

8. Vocational needs

The main purpose of educating SEN learners is to make them ready for jobs and self-dependence in life. The national education program suggests the implementation of vocationalisation of education. Vocationalisation of education means to import some training through education with the help of which a student is able to take a profession and earn his living.

Education is a means for a student to get into a profession or vocation. SEN learners also have vocational needs so that they can become independent and lead life successful. So, a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions and vocations are reserved for SEN learners.

9. Positive Behavior Support:

Learners with SEN may exhibit challenging behaviors that require specialized interventions and support. Positive behavior support strategies involve identifying the underlying reasons for the behavior and developing strategies to address them proactively, rather than just reacting to the behavior.

10. Sensory Support

Learners with sensory impairments may require specialized support to address their sensory needs. For example, students with visual impairments may require Braille or audio books, while students with hearing impairments may require assistive listening devices or captioning.

11. Collaborative Teamwork with others

Learners with SEN require a collaborative team approach that involves parents, educators, and other professionals working together to identify and address the student’s needs. Communication and collaboration among team members are critical to ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals and that the student’s needs are being met effectively.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, learners with special educational needs (SEN) require specialized support and accommodations to access education and reach their full potential. SEN learners may have a range of disabilities and learning difficulties, which require individualized education plans (IEPs), differentiated instruction, positive behavior support, transition support, collaborative teamwork, sensory support, and self-advocacy skills.

Educators and professionals must take a holistic approach that addresses the student’s unique needs and strengths to ensure that they have equal opportunities to succeed in the classroom and beyond. By recognizing and addressing the needs of learners with SEN, we can promote inclusive education and create a learning environment that accommodates the needs of all learners, celebrates diversity and differences, and ensures that every student can reach their full potential.