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2.2 Learner Exceptionalities

2.1.6 Compare theories and philosophies of education and training impacting learners with

exceptionalities.

There are many different kinds of students, with many unique learning exceptionalities.

Throughout the history of education many theories have been created to help teachers construct

support and lessons that include learners with exceptionalities. Furthermore, there is a need for

teachers to construct supports and lessons for exceptionalities and find ways to implement their

needs into their classroom and lesson plans.

Cognitivism is one type of learning disability children can develop. This is a mental

process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experiences and the senses.

An example of a cognitive disability is dyslexia. Dyslexia is caused from a neurological basis

which affects the part of the brain that controls language (including reading and writing). Areas

in the brain are slightly different causing challenges while learning. As a result, students with

dyslexia process the same language and material, just in a different way that they can

comprehend it better (evidence 2.2.1).

Howard Gardener, was an American developmental psychologist who created the “theory

of multiple intelligences” (evidence 2.2.2). His theory states that humans have several different

ways of processing information. Information they could process differently are languages,

numbers, communication and images. In the classroom, teachers may have to adjust their

classroom style to accommodate the different types of ways the students learn (evidence 2.2.2).

This theory not only affects students with dyslexia but also other exceptionalities. Some students

may qualify for an IEP which will help them achieve their academic goals and learn to their full

potential. IEP stands for, Individualized Education Plan, it is a legal ​document under United
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States law that is developed for each public school child in the U.S. who needs special education

(evidence 2.2.3). These plans are created by a student’s team of educators and parents, and are

updated every year to assure the student’s needs are met and they are performing as they should.

A student with dyslexia’s IEP may have accommodations such as; extended time on work and

tests, having their tests read aloud to them, going to a separate room to take a test and getting

extra help on language and writing outside of the classroom. This plan and the accommodations

are created to help close the student’s learning gaps (evidence 2.2.3).

Another type of learning disability is behavioral. Behaviorism is a systematic approach to

understanding the behavior of humans. Autism is an example of a behaviorism disability. Autism

is a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with

society. B.F Skinner was an american psychologist, known for operant conditioning, radical

behavior and applied behavior. His theory is based on a system of rewards to reinforce behaviors

(evidence 2.2.2). It creates a way to give students positive reinforcement in the classroom, which

is known to strengthen behavior. This helps control student behavior, a child is less likely to

repeat a bad behavior if punished, but if good behavior is rewarded then they will continue to

perform good behavior (evidence 2.2.2). For children with autism this helps the behavioral side

of the disability. If the teacher helps them and reinforces verbal praise to them, that leads them to

a positive attitude, leading to positive future behaviors. Other ways a teacher can help the student

is be gentle in criticism, solve sensory problems (sensory problems are the small things that

bother the child, you want to find those out first), use simple, concrete language and give limited,

clear choices. If a teacher uses these methods with a student with autism, the student is less likely

to lash out and exhibit bad behaviors in the classroom (evidence 2.2.1).
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Humanism is an educational philosophy that can effectively address some disabilities. It

is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and

collectively (the way a person feels and looks in society). Students living in poverty can be

helped by humanistic practices.Students from low income families tend to struggle in school

more than other kids might. They have a different point of view on how they are supposed to

behave and speak to the teacher (evidence 2.2.1). They come from a life where it isn’t easy and

they don’t have everything they could ever want. It is a lifestyle and educational struggle, they

don’t come to school ready and prepared to learn. A theorist by the name of Erik Erickson

struggled with his own identity. He created the theory of psychosocial development and identity

crisis (evidence 2.2.2). His theory explains how social influences contribute to our own

personalities throughout our lifetime. In the classroom, a teacher can build relationships with

those poverty stricken students and make accommodations for them to help them succeed inside

and outside of school. Teachers can be understanding of where they are coming from and make

them feel comfortable communicating with you. The more comfortable they are with you, then

the closer you can get to helping them.

Students with learning disabilities have many different learning styles and barriers and

there are many different sources of help for them. The development and implementation of

educational theories helped future students in succeeding in their learning, whether they have a

specific learning disability, or a lifestyle disability. The quality of teacher training has improved

by the study of these theories. Differentiation is now being used by the teachers to ensure every

student meets the same objective in the way that they can best learn. Teachers are able to have

empathy and move these struggling students to a path of success.