SEN and other support information
Processes/Systems in JWPS to Support Students
- Withdrawal, in-class and recess support, specialised remediation for students in the areas of learning, behavioural, as well as social emotional needs
- Implementation of Individual Education Plans for students with high needs
- Data-driven decision-making processes to inform students’ support and progress
- Consultation to teachers to facilitate better understanding of the students’ needs and how to support them.
- Case conferences with teachers and within the Case Management team to discuss support for students
- Capacity building sessions for teachers and workshops for parents
- Close home-school collaboration between teachers and parents
- Collaboration with and/ or referral to MOE Educational Psychologists, external agencies and hospitals, and special schools
Autism
What is Autism?
- Brain processes information differently or think differently
- Delay in meeting developmental milestones
- Is not an illness/ disease
- There is no cure
- People with ASD can LEARN skills to adapt
- As the person with ASD grows, the nature and intensity of the behaviour may change
Core Characteristics
Social Interaction | Social Communication | Flexibility of Thoughts & Behaviour |
---|---|---|
Poor eye contact | Echo another person’s speech (echolalia); may confuse with pronouns “I” and “You” | Flapping of hands, spinning or spinning objects, head banging, staring at ceiling fans for hours, etc. |
Prefer to be alone; may interact with others but only to obtain objects or to talk about own stereotypic interest | May exhibit unusual speech pattern; use words without understanding their meanings | Difficulty coping with changes in routines, the environment, etc. |
Unable to understand other’s feelings | Use and understanding of language tend to be literal; unable to initiate and engage in a conversation |
Other Characteristics
- Sensory
- Medical
- Learning style
- Special Talents
Strategies
- Simplify your language (Low, Slow and Show)
- Incorporate visual support for communication
- Provide appropriate level of prompt according to the need
- Allow time to respond
Dyslexia (Specific Learning Difficulties in Reading and Writing)
What is Dyslexia?
- Is a condition that makes it very difficult for children to read, write and/or spell
- Often, weaknesses may be seen in areas such as of language development, memory and sequencing
- Having dyslexia does not mean that your child’s ability to learn is below average
- Biological / genetic
- A difference in the part of the brain that deals with language
- Brain processes information differently
- Continues throughout life
- Unlikely that a student will “suddenly” develop dyslexia
- Cannot be cured but symptoms can be reduced
- NOT due to bad parenting / teaching
Other Specific Learning Difficulties
Dyspraxia | Impairment/immaturity of organization of movement | |
Dysgraphia | Immature fine motor skills development | |
Dyscalculia | Impairment of ability to solve mathematical problems | ** |
Characteristics of Dyslexia
Mispronunciation of words | Confusion over similar sounding words | Problems comprehending prepositions / connectives, information that require spatial conceptualisation | Outline/shape of word is similar to correct word but some letters are confused |
Words/phrases may be foreshadowed/telescoped | Misunderstanding the meaning of words that are within capacity of age range | Difficulties with sequencing | Reverses/mirrors letters, punctuation marks |
Confusion whether there should be one or two words | Difficulty with the rhythm of words, getting syllables in the wrong place | Confusion in processing requests / informatio | Letters may be correct but in the wrong order |
Strategies
- Include multi-sensory instructions
- Provide differentiated Instructions
- Include repetition in teaching
- Provide visual prompts
- Provide movement breaks
- Teach organisational skills
- Praise everything that deserve praise no matter how small
- Build on the child’s strengths
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is ADHD?
- Neuro developmental disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain
- Affects more boys than girls
- Often wrongly branded as being lazy, naughty, disruptive and mischievous
- Only exhibit inattentiveness and impulsivity behaviour- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Main Characteristics
Inattentiveness | Impulsiveness | Hyperactivity |
---|---|---|
Difficulty sustaining attention | Blurting out answers before question have been completed | Cannot sit still or remain seated as expected |
Disorganised and lose things | Difficulty in waiting for turn in tasks | Fidgeting in their seat or playing with items |
Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistake | Often act before thinking | Always ‘on the go’ |
Strategies
- Provide positive and timely feedback and praise
- Teach organizational skills
- Be clear and firm in rules
- Have a fixed schedule/routine to help the child start on tasks
- Break down big assignments/tasks into manageable chunks
- Curb distractibility (such as seating away from doors/ windows)
- Include multi-sensory instructions
- Teach self-monitor skills