Exceptionalities

and Inclusion
By: Andrea, Jess. B & Keanna
Agenda
● Definitions
● Categories of exceptionalities
● What is inclusion
● Measuring inclusion
● Concerns/obstacles regarding inclusion
● Bowling and inclusion
● Concepts that contribute to inclusive education
● Inclusive Early Childhood Service System
● Importance of education
● Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
● Proposed research opportunities
● Questions
Definitions
Disability

● A physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's
ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions

Exceptional

● Deviating from the norm

Inclusion

● Adj- Included~ contained as a part of something (Oxford)

● Noun- Inclusion~ the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student
population
Categories of Exceptionalities
The Education Act Identifies five categories of exceptionalities for exceptional students:

1. Behavioural
2. Communication
3. Intellectual
4. Physical
5. Multiple

(Ontario Ministry of Education, 2019, p. 1)

What Is Inclusion?
● Not separated by group
● Not separated by individual
● More than physical integration
● Voluntary
● Teaching to diversity
● All of us

(Moore, 2017, 0:30)

Measuring Inclusion
● No set way to measure it
● Allow space for children with physical exceptionalities
● Can use SpeciaLink Early Childhood Inclusion Quality Scale
● Offered in both French and English
● Helps centers move towards higher quality inclusion
● Used as a mandatory measure in some Canadian provinces
Concerns/Obstacles Regarding
Inclusion
Barriers include:

1. Attitudes being negative

2. Physical restrictions in schools and classrooms
3. Teachers not trained
4. Funding for schools (facilities)
5. Organization of the education system
6. Curriculum not allowing for different methods of teaching
The Inclusive Early Childhood
Service System
● Reconciling Interests of Children and Economies during the COVID-19 pandemic
○ Policy Brief No. 9
Bowling and Inclusion
Shelley Moore:
Transforming
Inclusive
Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYt
Note. From Blatt, 2015,
http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/02/hardest_shot_in_bowling_it_s_not_the_7_10_split_it_s_th
e_greek_church.html
CONCEPTS THAT CONTRIBUTE
TO INCLUSIVE
● Universal design of learning EDUCATION
● Assistive technology
● Integrative learning
● Differentiated Instruction

Note. From Happy Minds, 2017.

http://www.thehappyminds.com/howard-gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences/
 Importance of
●
Inclusion
Not a one size fits all approach
● It is about “opportunity”, not fixing
the problem
● Sometimes outdated strategies and
ideas that reflect status quo

We have come a long way to meeting the needs of diverse learners.Sensory, (Lands,2012.)
routines, assistive technology devices, etc. COVID-19 has created many
barriers in the progress made in inclusive education.
Holland Bloorview Kids
Rehabilitation Hospital
● Canada’s largest child rehabilitation
hospital
●
●
Provides inpatient and outpatient services
Provides care for children whose medical
● Opened in 1899 as a home for incurable complexity prevents them from receiving
children care elsewhere
● Located in Toronto, Ontario ● Climate welcomes/promotes/understands
● Creates a world of possibilities for kids and diversity
youth with disabilities ● Values include courage, resilience,
compassion, excellence, equity and
innovation
Holland Bloorview-Reverse
Integration Classroom
●
●
Integrated Kindergarten Program (IKP)
Includes children with exceptionalities and
●
●
Optimizes participation and performance
Allows children with exceptionalities to
those without have easier access to therapy while going to
● Ensures universal access for all students school
● Supports safety, inclusion and healthy ● Focused on play and inquiry-based learning
being ● Children become more attuned to the needs
of all people
Holland Bloorview Video
Reverse Integration Classroom Expands Kids’ Worlds (0:00-3:49)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SteWSdH1mpA
 Proposed
Research
OPPORTU
NITIES
References
● Agnes Gajewski. (2017). Ethics, Equity, and Inclusive Education. Emerald Publishing Limited.
● Bender, W. N. (2012). Differentiating Instruction For Students with Learning Disabilities (3rd ed.).
https://in.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/50371_Bender_Ch1.pdf
● Broverman, A. (2017). Bloorview’s Kindergarten Class for Kids With and Without Disabilities Needs More Students.
https://nowtoronto.com/news/bloorview-integrated-kindergarten-bloorview-needs-more-students
● Callaghan, K. (2013). The Environment Is a Teacher. In Ministry of Education (Ed.), Think, Feel, Act: Lessons From Research About Young
Children (11-15).
● Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. (n.d.). Integrated Education and Therapy.
https://www.hollandbloorview.ca/services/programs-services/integrated-education-and-therapy
● Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. (n.d.). Mission, Vision and Values.
https://foundation.hollandbloorview.ca/about-us/hospital/mission-vision-impact
● IRIS Center. (n.d.). Exceptionalities. https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/div/cresource/q2/p05/
● Lands, B. (2012) There is more than one way to climb a tree. Retrieved November 25, 2019 from
https://www.thelandscapeoflearning.com/2012/09/please-climb-that-tree.html
● Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Inclusion. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inclusion
● Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Exceptional. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptional
References
● Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Disability. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disability
● Ministry of Education. (2013). Learning for All. http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/LearningforAll2013.pdf
● Ministry of Education. (2020). Consultation Document Regarding Proposed Regulatory Amendments Under the Child Care and Early Years
Act, 2014.
https://www.scribd.com/document/479389084/Consultation-Document-2020-Proposed-Regulatory-Amendments-CCEYA#fullscreen&from_e
mbed
● Moore, S. (2017). What Is Inclusion? [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1fbTKYkU4k&feature=emb_rel_pause
● Moore, S. (2016). Transforming Inclusive Education. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtUlU8MjlY
● Ontario Ministry of Education. (2019). Categories of Exceptionalities.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/policy/os/2017/spec_ed_2.html#categories
● Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. (n.d.). Included. In Oxford Learner’s Dictionary.
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/included

● SpeciLink: the National Centre for Child Care. (2004-2010). SpeciaLink Early Childhood Inclusion Quality Scale.
https://specialinkcanada.org/about/rating%20scales.html

● Think Inclusive. (2015). The Biggest Barriers to Inclusive Education. https://www.thinkinclusive.us/barriers-to-inclusive-education/

● Tvoparents. (2012, Dec 3). Reverse Integration Classroom Expands Kids’ Worlds. Retrieved on November 26, 2020 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SteWSdH1mpA
Questions?