All children matter and all children can learn if given appropriate education. However, a good number of teachers, parents and other related professionals dealing with children do not know what to do with children who deviate from the “norm”. This training is designed to equip teachers, other professionals and parents with knowledge and skills needed to effectively identify and support learners with special needs in regular classrooms, homes and in other social settings. Participants will gain an understanding of children/youth with diverse types of special needs. They will be introduced to skills and knowledge on screening and identifying children with various types of special needs and be introduced to specialised instructional methods deployed in inclusive classrooms. The trainees will acquire essential skills on fostering effective advocacy, collaboration and teamworking for the benefit of children/youth with special needs in inclusive education settings.

Learning Outcomes:

1. By the end of this training, the participant should be able to:
2. Screen learners with special needs and identify various children/youth with special needs.
3. Develop and implement Individualized Education Plans/programmes (IEPs).
4. Apply various instructional strategies for accommodating learners with special needs in inclusive classrooms.

Course Content

1. Introduction to Special Needs Education (SNE)

• Overview on the rights of learners with special needs and the legal frameworks.
• Overview of special needs education in Kenya
• Importance of inclusive education in Kenya

2. Types of special needs in children and their characteristics

• Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
• Visual Impairment (blind and low vision including those with Albinism)
•  Deaf-blindness
• Physical Disabilities (including those with Cerebral Palsy)
• Other health impairments
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD)
• Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
•  Specific Learning Disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia)
•  Speech and Language Disorders (Communication Disorders)
• Multiple disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
•  Gifted and Talented

3. Screening and Identification Procedures

• Strategies for screening and identifying learners with special needs.
• Formal and informal assessment methods
• Roles of the parents/guardians, professionals, and stakeholders

4. Developing and implementing Individualized Education Programmes/Plan (IEP)

• What is an IEP?
• Designing an IEP
• Relationship of IEPs and schemes of works and lesson plans

5.Differentiation and Individualized Instruction

• Understanding learner diversity in inclusive classrooms
• Adopting and adapting the curriculum and instructional materials
• Differentiated instruction techniques.
• Creating supportive learning environments

6. Assistive Devices for Classroom Adaptations

• Introduction to assistive devices
• Utilizing assistive devices for learners in an inclusive setting
• Environmental adaptations for special needs learners

7. Collaborating with parents, professionals, and stakeholders

• Working with educational support professionals (e.g., speech therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists)
• Effective communication with colleagues, other professional and parents/guardians
• Building a support network especially with other professional and parents
• Managing stress and burnout to self and parents

Note: This training course can be further adapted and expanded based on the specific needs and requirements of the participants. It includes interactive activities, group discussions, and hands-on exercises throughout the training to enhance engagement and practical application of knowledge.