Unusual Modifications

[Ms. Kathy]

One of the things some of our kids dislike as they move into the middle school to high school levels is appearing diffeent before their peers.

One modification tip I have is to allow the student to prop his/her reading book with other books. That way the student does not have to have a combersome reading stand. Make sure the teacher knows what's going on. This also keeps the student from bending his/her neck down over a flat-laying book on the desk by bringing the book up to her eyes instead of the other way around.

[Brenda]

When do students go to a special school for the blind? Why do some go and some do not?

[Ms. Kathy]

When do students go to a special school for the blind? Why do some go and some do not?

There are several reasons that some visually impaired children attend special schools while others do not.

Exceptional children are to be given every opportunity to attend school in their home district if it is at all possible and if the district is capable of providing services. Some small towns may not have the ability to provide special equipment or a teacher/resource person with expertise for such a low frequency population.

Sometimes the "special school" is not the Least Restrictive Environment for a child who is very capable of functioning on a regular campus. By law all LRE's have to be considered and/or tried before a child can attend a residential setting. Some parents refuse services for their children in their districts while others refuse to move their child to a more restrictive environment. Sometimes it's the IEP team's call and sometimes it's a parent call. Other times its determined by availability and ability of the child.

Most cases, if a child is capable of functioning in a regular setting with some modifications for his/her conditions, then he she remains on a campus with non-exceptional peers.