Exceptionalities Review

James Rydberg

Exceptionality Review

As Susan expressed, a child with a communication disorder not only has a difficult time academically, but socially as well. In this exceptionality there are fundamentally two types of communication disorders. The first, language disorder, focuses around the child’s inability to comprehend; the second, speech disorder, centers around the difficulty to transmit verbal messages [169]. These disorders do not have to inter-relate, meaning you can have one without the other. A list of facts concerning this disorder is found on page 170. Students with this disorder may demonstrate inability to communicate proper phonology, extremely limited vocabulary, motor disorders, and acute semantic confusion. As a inspiring high school teacher, when I notice a child with a speech/language disorder I will immediately look to his records and express my concern to school hierarchy so the child can receive the appropriate professional help. I will also get to know the student more, perhaps asking him some questions so I can make a better assessment. However, what I will not do is bring more unwanted attention to the student.

It is alarming how many children have been diagnosed with ASD, (3.4 to 6.8 out of 1,000) [153]. One of the most difficult things I find is the lack of social “reciprocity” observed by children with this exceptionality. School is an extremely social institution and much of the curriculum is centered around social skills. It does not surprise me to know that a large minority (44%) are educated outside of the general education classroom for the majority of the day. Many of these children will have already been identified before they reach a high school classroom, through ritualistic behavior, communication and social disorders, however, it is encouraging to discover that ASD students are thriving in secondary schools and even college. What I will do as a secondary educator is make sure that their...