Equipped with the right information and guidance, a teacher assigned to handle children with special needs is able to manage the classroom and the children with ease and efficiency. The foremost requirement is being able to identify each student’s individual cases and needs. It is imperative to know how to handle each case and how to deal with behavior problems, if present.

In handling the students as a class, listed below are some helpful strategies you can use to manage them effectively:

1. 1.At all time, shun confrontations and power struggles.
2. 2.Present an appropriate peer role model.
3. 3.Alter rules that may single out against student with neurological disorder.
4. 4.Develop a method or code that will let the student know when behavior is not appropriate.
5. 5.Disregard attention seeking behaviors if these are not disruptive to the classroom.
6. 6.Organize a designated safe place that student can go to.
7. 7.Create a code of conduct for the classroom and visually display it in a proper place where all students can see it. Review the code regularly.
8. 8.Plan and develop a behavior intervention strategy that is sensible and easily applied.
9. 9.Give instant means to reinforcement and feedback.

Having an academic program to unique students is definitely challenging. The above methods can help in providing a comfortable learning atmosphere for all students regardless of their academic abilities. The teacher must be able to adjust himself/herself to individualities of these students. Finding the right approaches can spell a huge difference on how their behaviors are managed and how they adapt themselves to the learning area they are exposed to.

It is also vital for teachers to evaluate and assess themselves with regards their own behavior and see how it will fit with that of the behavior of the children he/she will be handling.

By: Ma. Janette G. Manlapaz | Special Education Teacher I | Liyang Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan