The General Teaching Methods

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder 

“A variety (or spectrum) of related disorders that affect a child’s social development and ability to communicate and that include unusual behavioral manifestations such as repetitive motor movements” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 143). 

“DSM-5

An individual must meet criteria A, B, C, and D:

1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays.
2. Restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. 
3. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities).
4. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 146).

• “Lack of Theory of the Mind (the ability of human beings to understand the thinking and feelings of other people that’s necessary for understanding, predicting, and shaping the behavior of others). 
• Acting out or aggressive behavior due to limited ability to communicate.
• Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli
• Trouble with important thinking skills like decision-making, problem solving, executive function, and the more complex mental processes of reasoning and evaluation. 
• Difficulty with a range of motor skills such as gross motor, fine motor, and motor planning” (Kirk et al., 2020, pp. 148-150).

• “Early intervention and early diagnosis
• Naturalistic intervention Peer-mediated instruction and intervention
• Social narratives of social stories; Comic strip conversations
• Prompting; visual supports
• Creating Structure
• Improving Social Skills
• Functional Behavior Assessment 
• Assistive Technology (voice output communication aids)
• Focused Intervention Practice
• Comprehensive Treatment Models (TEACCH, EIBI)” (Kirk et al., 2020, pp. 154-161).

1. Emotional/Behavioral Disability 

1. Hearing Impairment/Deaf

1. Intellectual Disability 

1. Learning Disability 

1. Multiple Disabilities 

“Concomitant impairments (such as intellectual and developmental disabilities—blindness or intellectual and developmental disabilities—orthopedic impairment) that result in severe educational needs that require special services” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 423).  

1. Orthopedic Impairment

“A severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures)” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 423).

1. Traumatic Brain Injury 

“An acquired injury caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability and/or psychosocial impairment that requires special educational services” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 423).  

1. Visual Impairment, including Blindness and Deafblindness

Deafblindness: “Concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes severe communication, developmental, and other educational needs that require special services” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 423).  

1. Other Health Impairment   

“Limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that are due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, heart conditions, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, or Tourette syndrome and that require special educational services” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 423).  

1. Developmental Delays   

“In the United States, defined by each state, and can occur in any of the five critical domains: cognitive, communicative, social-emotional, motor, and adaptive development” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 79).

1. Language Developmental Disorder OR Speech/Language Impairment 

“This disorder involves difficulties with any combination of spoken, written, and symbol systems used to share ideas and messages. Language disorders may impact understanding and use of (a) language form (phonology, morphology, syntax), (b) language content (semantics), or (c) language function (pragmatics)” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 293).     

1. Cultural/ Ethnic/ Socioeconomic Factors/ ELL   

“Many students for whom English is a second language have difficulty learning in American schools and may be referred to special education as a result” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 57).  

• Test students with nonbiased assessment that include the use of interpreters, “culture fair” tests, and separate norms. (Kirk et al, 2015, p. 56).  
• Mindful interpretations of the tests.
• “The RtI model Tier II, which allows for additional support for learning short of referral to special education” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 57).  

1. Medical Aspects/Major Health Impairments 

A broad range of exceptionalities that involve medical attention/care. 

“When children are dealing with serious health problems, their life and education will be impacted. The support needed for each child will depend on the range and severity of the problem…medical experts take the lead on the diagnosis and planning medical interventions, while the general education teacher takes responsibility for needed daily supports and for knowing the appropriate protocols for initial response in an emergency” (Kirk et al., 2020, p. 427).  

A wide variety of medical health impairments that could include: 

• Asthma
• Cancer
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• HIV/AIDS
• Acquired Diseases