By: Lebohang Maluke
Maseru – Developmental Disability Professionals Day falls on July 15 annually. This day is dedicated to acknowledging the efforts of developmental disability professionals, who often work behind the scenes while providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in the nation.
The National Association for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Specialists (N.A.Q.), the leading national organization recognizing these professionals, established this day in 2020.
That is a wonderful occasion to celebrate! Developmental Disabilities Professionals Day is a special day to recognize and honour the work of professionals who support individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a day to acknowledge the valuable contributions these professionals make to their communities and the lives of those they serve.
There are several important reasons why the world should celebrate Developmental Disabilities Professionals Day:
Recognition and appreciation, these professionals often work long hours and make significant personal sacrifices to help improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Celebrating their work is a way of showing gratitude and appreciation for all that they do.
Raising awareness by celebrating the work of developmental disabilities professionals, the public becomes more aware of the challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities and the vital role that these professionals play in supporting them.
These professionals, such as Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (Q.I.D.Ps), case managers, service coordinators, and others, have varying titles depending on the state in which they practice. They play a crucial role in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities by facilitating residential services, creating job opportunities, working as behaviour analysts, coordinating medical care, and more.
Special education teachers who work with children with developmental disabilities. Special education teachers are an essential component of the developmental disabilities profession. They work with children who have a range of developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and physical impairments. Their goal is to create a safe and supportive learning environment that meets the unique needs of each student and helps them reach their full potential.
Some of the key responsibilities of special education teachers include assessing students’ needs by identifying individual strengths and challenges and developing personalized learning plans.
The work of special education teachers is incredibly important and valuable. These teachers have a unique set of skills and knowledge that allow them to work with children with developmental disabilities in ways that other educators may not be able to.
Communication special education teachers are skilled communicators who can connect with students using a variety of methods, such as visual aids, sign language, or assistive technology. Developing and implementing curriculum through creation of engaging effective lessons that cater to each student’s learning style.
Developing and implementing curriculum is one of the most crucial aspects of special education teaching. Every child is different, and effective special education teachers are able to create learning environments that cater to those differences.
Some of the strategies that special education teachers use to create engaging and effective lessons are differentiation of offering multiple ways for students to learn and demonstrate what they know, such as through visual, also auditory.
Differentiation is key to effective special education teaching because it allows teachers to adapt their instruction to the individual needs of their students.
Here are some ways that special education teachers differentiate their instruction visual and auditory learning are important components of differentiation in special education. In fact, many students with developmental disabilities have a preferred learning style that can be supported through these methods.
For instance, visual learning: For students who are visual learners, special education teachers use visual aids such as storyboards, picture cards, or sign language to help them better understand concepts and instructions.
Auditory Learning: For students who learn best through listening, teachers provide verbal explanations, use audio books, or record instructions so that students can listen to them repeatedly.
The power of audio learning is particularly beneficial for students with developmental disabilities that impact language or communication skills, such as autism or Down syndrome. By providing verbal explanations and other auditory supports, special education teachers can help these students develop their language skills, which can have a positive impact on their overall development.
In addition to using verbal explanations and audio books, special education teachers may also incorporate the following auditory learning strategies: Auditory memory games that focus on listening and repeating information, such as Telephone, that help students develop their auditory memory and processing skills. Adapting materials modifying lesson plans, worksheets, and other materials to better meet the needs of individual students.