ADHD and attention
What is ADHD in children?
What is ADHD in children? A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, activity and impulse control, seen at home and school, that support can help.
Special education questions answered
111 answers about careers, shadow teaching, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, inclusive teaching and Indian law, written for teachers, shadow teachers and parents. Each has practical steps and links to its sources.
- Courses and admission (10)
- Careers and qualifications (17)
- Shadow teaching (11)
- Autism (10)
- ADHD and attention (7)
- Learning disabilities (9)
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities (6)
- Sensory, physical and communication needs (7)
- Inclusive teaching and IEPs (12)
- Behaviour support (7)
- Law and policy in India (9)
- Working with families (6)
Browse the questions
111 questions
ADHD and attention
How do you teach a child with ADHD in class?
How to teach a child with ADHD in class: short instructions, chunked work, movement breaks, low-distraction seating and quick, specific praise.
ADHD and attention
What classroom accommodations help children with ADHD?
Classroom accommodations for ADHD: seating, chunked tasks, extra time, breaks, written instructions and checklists, recorded in the child's plan.
ADHD and attention
Is ADHD a learning disability?
No. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, activity and impulse control, while a specific learning disability such as dyslexia affects…
ADHD and attention
How can I improve attention in children with ADHD?
How to improve attention in children with ADHD: short clear tasks, visual timers, movement breaks, interest-based work and immediate praise.
ADHD and attention
How can teachers tell ADHD from normal childhood activity?
How teachers can tell ADHD from normal activity: compare with peers, check duration and settings, rule out other causes, and refer if concerns persist.
ADHD and attention
Does ADHD continue into adulthood?
ADHD often continues into adulthood, although symptoms usually change. Hyperactivity tends to lessen with age, while difficulties with attention…
Autism
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication and interaction, and involves restricted…
Autism
What are the early signs of autism in children?
Early signs of autism in children: little response to name, few gestures, delayed speech, repetitive play and strong reactions to sounds or change.
Autism
How do you teach a child with autism in a mainstream classroom?
How to teach a child with autism in a mainstream classroom: visual schedules, clear instructions, warnings before changes and a calm space.
Autism
What are visual schedules and how do they help?
What are visual schedules and how do they help? Picture or word timetables that reduce anxiety, ease transitions and build independence.
Autism
What is PECS?
PECS, the Picture Exchange Communication System, is a structured way of teaching children with limited speech to communicate by exchanging picture cards…
Autism
What is ABA therapy?
What is ABA therapy? Applied behaviour analysis teaches skills in small steps with reinforcement. Look for ethical, child-centred, supervised practice.
Autism
How do you handle meltdowns in autistic children?
How to handle meltdowns in autistic children: keep everyone safe, reduce noise and demands, wait calmly, then find and adjust the triggers.
Autism
What are social stories?
Social stories are short, personalised stories that describe a situation, what usually happens and why, and how people might think or feel, to help autistic…
Autism
What are sensory processing difficulties?
Sensory processing difficulties mean unusually strong or weak responses to sound, touch, light or movement. Simple classroom changes help.
Autism
How do you make a classroom autism-friendly?
How to make a classroom autism-friendly: a visual timetable, labelled areas, less noise and clutter, a calm corner and consistent routines.
Behaviour support
What is positive behaviour support?
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an approach that improves behaviour by understanding why it happens and changing the environment, teaching new skills…
Behaviour support
What is a functional behaviour assessment?
A functional behaviour assessment (FBA) is a process for finding out why a challenging behaviour happens.
Behaviour support
What is the ABC model of behaviour?
The ABC model records Antecedent (what happens just before a behaviour), Behaviour (what the child does, described objectively) and Consequence (what happens…
Behaviour support
How do you use reinforcement in special education?
Reinforcement means following a behaviour with something that makes it more likely to happen again. In special education, teachers use praise, preferred…
Behaviour support
Is punishment effective for children with special needs?
Punishment such as shouting, removal of breaks or physical punishment is generally ineffective for children with special needs and can increase anxiety…
Behaviour support
How do you handle aggressive behaviour in children with special needs?
How to handle aggressive behaviour in children with special needs: keep everyone safe, stay calm, then find triggers and teach safer communication.
Behaviour support
How do you teach social skills to children with special needs?
How to teach social skills to children with special needs: break skills into steps, model, role-play, use social stories and practise in real settings.
Careers and qualifications
How can I become a special education teacher in India?
How to become a special education teacher in India: an RCI-recognised D.Ed or B.Ed Special Education, then RCI registration. Online courses do not lead to it.
Careers and qualifications
What qualifications do I need to be a special education teacher?
Qualifications needed to be a special education teacher: in India an RCI D.Ed or B.Ed Special Education and registration; abroad, a teaching licence.
Careers and qualifications
What is a special education teacher in India?
A special education teacher in India, often called a special educator, plans and teaches learning programmes for children with disabilities such as autism…
Careers and qualifications
What do special education teachers do?
Special education teachers assess what a child can already do, set individual goals, and teach academic, communication, social and life skills using adapted…
Careers and qualifications
What skills are needed for special education?
Skills needed for special education: patience, observation, task analysis, IEP goal writing, visual supports, behaviour support and teamwork.
Careers and qualifications
What is the scope of special education?
The scope of special education covers teaching children and young people with disabilities across early intervention, school, vocational training…
Careers and qualifications
Is special needs education in demand?
Is special needs education in demand? Yes: inclusion duties under the RPwD Act and NEP 2020 drive steady demand for special educators and shadow teachers.
Careers and qualifications
How much does a shadow teacher earn in India per month?
How much does a shadow teacher earn in India per month? Advertised city roles pay about ₹10,000 to ₹30,000; the 2026 average is around ₹20,000.
Careers and qualifications
How much does a shadow teacher earn in the Middle East per month?
How much does a shadow teacher earn in the Middle East per month? In the UAE, about AED 3,000 to 5,000; GulfTalent's average is AED 3,500.
Careers and qualifications
How much does a shadow teacher earn in the United States and Canada per month?
How much does a shadow teacher earn in the US and Canada? US teacher assistants: $35,240 a year median (BLS); Canada: C$25.01 an hour median.
Careers and qualifications
What is RCI registration for special educators?
What is RCI registration for special educators? Entry on the Central Rehabilitation Register after an RCI-recognised course, required to practise.
Careers and qualifications
What is the difference between D.Ed and B.Ed Special Education?
D.Ed and B.Ed Special Education compared: D.Ed is two years after 10+2; B.Ed is two years after graduation. Both lead to RCI registration.
Careers and qualifications
Can I work as a special educator without RCI registration?
Can you work as a special educator without RCI registration? Not as a special educator in India, but shadow teacher and support roles are open.
Careers and qualifications
What jobs can I get after a special education course?
Jobs you can get after a special education course: shadow teacher, learning support assistant, inclusive classroom teacher or early years assistant.
Careers and qualifications
How do I become a special education teacher in the UAE?
How to become a special education teacher in the UAE: a degree, teaching qualification and UAE licence; learning support roles are a common start.
Careers and qualifications
What is a resource teacher in India?
What is a resource teacher in India? A trained special educator who supports children with disabilities in mainstream schools from a resource room.
Careers and qualifications
Is special education a good career?
Is special education a good career? It offers purpose and steady demand, but pay depends on qualifications such as RCI registration.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is inclusive education?
Inclusive education means children with and without disabilities learn together in the same schools and classrooms, with the support and adjustments each…
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is an IEP?
An IEP (individualised education programme or plan) is a written plan for a child with special needs that records their current abilities, specific learning…
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
How do you write an IEP goal?
Write IEP goals that are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A good goal states what the child will do, in what situation…
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is differentiated instruction?
Differentiated instruction means planning lessons so students with different readiness, interests and learning needs can all reach the learning goal.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is the difference between an accommodation and a modification?
The difference between an accommodation and a modification: one changes how a student learns or is tested, the other changes what is expected.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework, developed by CAST, for planning lessons that work for as many learners as possible from the start.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
How do you set up an inclusive classroom?
Set up an inclusive classroom by making the space accessible, routines predictable and materials varied.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is a resource room?
A resource room is a specially equipped space in a mainstream school where students with special needs receive short periods of individual or small-group…
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
How do teachers identify children with special needs?
How teachers identify children with special needs: observe over time, record examples, screen, talk with families and refer for professional assessment.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is early intervention?
Early intervention is support for babies and young children, usually from birth to about six years, who have developmental delays or disabilities…
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
How do you assess the progress of children with special needs?
How to assess progress of children with special needs: measure against each child's IEP goals with simple, regular checks and work samples.
Inclusive teaching and IEPs
What is peer tutoring in inclusive classrooms?
Peer tutoring in inclusive classrooms pairs students to practise skills together. It builds learning and friendships when roles are clear.
Courses and admission
Which course is best for special education?
Which course is best for special education? An RCI D.Ed or B.Ed for registered posts; a practical online course for teachers, parents and shadow teachers.
Courses and admission
Why should I study special education?
Why should I study special education? It helps you understand and support children with disabilities and opens roles in inclusive and special schools.
Courses and admission
What is the difference between a certificate and a diploma in special education?
Certificate and diploma in special education compared: APTTI's Certificate is 120 hours (₹15,000 + GST); the Diploma is 200 hours (₹25,000 + GST).
Courses and admission
Is an online special education course valid in India?
Is an online special education course valid in India? Yes as professional development, but not for RCI-registered special educator posts.
Courses and admission
Is APTTI's special education course RCI-recognised?
No. APTTI's Certificate, Diploma, PG Diploma and Integrated PG Diploma in special education are online professional development courses, not RCI-recognised…
Courses and admission
Can I do a special education course after 12th?
Yes, you can do a special education course after 12th: an RCI D.Ed Special Education, or an online certificate or diploma for support roles.
Courses and admission
Can parents do a special education course?
Yes. Parents often take special education courses to understand their child's needs and use consistent strategies at home.
Courses and admission
What is the difference between a PG Diploma and an Integrated PG Diploma in special education?
PG Diploma and Integrated PG Diploma in special education compared: 280 hours (₹30,000 + GST) versus 540 hours (₹45,000 + GST).
Courses and admission
How long does a special education course take?
How long does a special education course take? APTTI's courses take 120 to 540 hours over 6 to 18 months; RCI D.Ed and B.Ed take two years.
Courses and admission
Is a special education diploma accepted in UAE schools?
A special education diploma is often accepted for learning support assistant and shadow teacher roles in UAE schools, but each school and regulator sets…
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
What is intellectual disability?
Intellectual disability is a condition that begins in childhood and involves significant limitations in intellectual functioning, such as reasoning…
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It usually involves some degree of intellectual disability, characteristic…
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
What is global developmental delay?
Global developmental delay describes a young child, usually under five, who is significantly behind in two or more areas of development, such as movement…
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
How do you teach life skills to children with intellectual disability?
How to teach life skills to children with intellectual disability: break skills into steps, demonstrate, practise in real settings and fade help.
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
What is task analysis?
Task analysis is breaking a skill into small, ordered steps so it can be taught one step at a time. For example, brushing teeth might be broken into picking…
Intellectual and developmental disabilities
What is functional academics?
Functional academics means teaching reading, writing and maths skills that a learner uses in everyday life, such as reading signs and labels, writing…
Law and policy in India
What is the RPwD Act 2016?
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 is India's main disability law. It replaced the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, expanded the list…
Law and policy in India
What are the 21 disabilities under the RPwD Act?
The 21 disabilities under the RPwD Act 2016, from blindness and autism to specific learning disabilities, grouped and explained for schools.
Law and policy in India
What is a UDID card?
A UDID (Unique Disability ID) card is a national disability identity card issued by the Government of India to persons with disabilities, recording the type…
Law and policy in India
What does the RTE Act say about children with disabilities?
What the RTE Act says about children with disabilities: free education from 6 to 14, inclusion as a disadvantaged group, and home-based options.
Law and policy in India
What does NEP 2020 say about inclusive education?
What NEP 2020 says about inclusive education: full inclusion of children with disabilities, shared special educators, resource centres and ISL.
Law and policy in India
What is the Rehabilitation Council of India?
The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, set up under the RCI Act 1992.
Law and policy in India
What is Samagra Shiksha's inclusive education component?
Samagra Shiksha's inclusive education component funds identification, aids, materials, resource persons and support for children with special needs.
Law and policy in India
What is the National Trust Act?
The National Trust Act 1999 set up the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities…
Law and policy in India
What is a benchmark disability?
Under India's RPwD Act 2016, a benchmark disability means a person has not less than 40% of a specified disability, as certified by the authorised medical…
Learning disabilities
What are specific learning disabilities?
Specific learning disabilities (SLDs) are lifelong difficulties in particular academic skills, such as reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia) or maths…
Learning disabilities
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a common specific learning difficulty that mainly affects accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
Learning disabilities
What are the signs of dyslexia in children?
Signs of dyslexia in children: slow, inaccurate reading, trouble with letter sounds, inconsistent spelling and a gap between spoken and written work.
Learning disabilities
What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that makes it hard to understand numbers, quantities and arithmetic.
Learning disabilities
What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a specific learning difficulty affecting handwriting and written expression. Children may form letters slowly or inconsistently, mix sizes…
Learning disabilities
How do you teach reading to a child with dyslexia?
Teach reading to a child with dyslexia through structured, systematic phonics: explicit teaching of letter-sound links, blending and segmenting, practised…
Learning disabilities
What exam concessions are available for learning disabilities in India?
Exam concessions for learning disabilities in India include extra time, a scribe or reader and language flexibility, with a valid certificate.
Learning disabilities
Is a learning disability the same as low intelligence?
Is a learning disability the same as low intelligence? No. Specific learning disabilities affect particular skills; intelligence is usually typical.
Learning disabilities
What is multisensory teaching?
Multisensory teaching uses more than one sense at the same time, such as seeing, hearing, saying and moving, to help children learn and remember.
Working with families
How can parents support a child with special needs at home?
How parents can support a child with special needs at home: predictable routines, visual supports, everyday practice and the same strategies as school.
Working with families
How should teachers talk to parents about concerns about their child?
How to talk to parents about concerns about their child: meet privately, start with strengths, share specific examples and agree next steps.
Working with families
What should parents ask a school about inclusion?
What parents should ask a school about inclusion: special educators, IEPs, accommodations, shadow teachers, bullying prevention and communication.
Working with families
How do you prepare a child with special needs for school?
Prepare a child with special needs for school by visiting beforehand, using photos and social stories of the classroom and teachers, practising the new…
Working with families
How can parents of children with special needs manage stress?
How parents of children with special needs can manage stress: share care, take breaks, join support groups and seek help, including Tele-MANAS 14416.
Working with families
How do you explain a sibling's disability to children?
How to explain a sibling's disability to children: simple, honest, positive words, open questions, and one-to-one time for the sibling too.
Sensory, physical and communication needs
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of lifelong conditions affecting movement, muscle tone and posture, caused by damage to or differences in the developing brain…
Sensory, physical and communication needs
How do you support a child with hearing impairment in class?
Support a child with hearing impairment by seating them where they can see your face and the board, reducing background noise, facing the class when…
Sensory, physical and communication needs
How do you support a child with visual impairment in class?
How to support a child with visual impairment in class: describe what you write, provide large print or Braille, and keep the layout consistent.
Sensory, physical and communication needs
What is speech and language delay?
Speech and language delay means a child is developing speech sounds or language more slowly than expected for their age.
Sensory, physical and communication needs
What is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) means any method that supports or replaces speech, including gestures, signs, picture cards, communication…
Sensory, physical and communication needs
What is Indian Sign Language?
Indian Sign Language (ISL) is the visual language used by many deaf people in India, with its own vocabulary and grammar using handshapes, movement…
Sensory, physical and communication needs
What is sensory integration therapy?
Sensory integration therapy is an approach, usually led by occupational therapists, that uses play-based activities such as swinging, brushing or deep…
Shadow teaching
What is shadow teacher training?
Shadow teacher training prepares you to support one child with special needs in a mainstream classroom.
Shadow teaching
What is the duty of a shadow teacher?
A shadow teacher's duty is to help one child with special needs take part in class learning and school life, while building their independence.
Shadow teaching
What is the qualification for a shadow teacher?
There is no single legal qualification for shadow teachers in India. Most schools and agencies ask for a graduate degree, training in special educational…
Shadow teaching
What is a shadow teacher?
A shadow teacher is a trained support person who works one-to-one with a child with special needs in a mainstream classroom, helping the child follow…
Shadow teaching
What is the difference between a shadow teacher and a special educator?
The difference between a shadow teacher and a special educator: one supports a child in class; the other plans specialised teaching and is RCI-registered.
Shadow teaching
How do I become a shadow teacher in India?
To become a shadow teacher in India, most people complete a graduate degree, take a special education or shadow teacher training course, gain experience…
Shadow teaching
How does a shadow teacher help a child with autism?
How a shadow teacher helps a child with autism: predictable routines, visual schedules, communication support, sensory breaks and gradual fading.
Shadow teaching
How should a shadow teacher work with the class teacher?
A shadow teacher should treat the class teacher as the lead for teaching and work as a team member: agree roles at the start, get lesson plans in advance…
Shadow teaching
How should shadow teacher support be faded?
Shadow teacher support is faded by gradually reducing prompts and physical closeness as the child succeeds.
Shadow teaching
What does a shadow teacher do in a typical day?
A typical shadow teacher day starts before school with a check of the timetable and materials, continues with support during arrival, lessons, breaks…
Shadow teaching
How should a shadow teacher communicate with parents?
A shadow teacher should communicate with parents regularly, briefly and factually, through a channel agreed with the school, such as a home-school diary…
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