Famous People with Special Needs

Special Needs Education

• Dyslexia

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

 

Why provide special education support?

 

• While there may not be a cure, but support, routine, training and understanding can assist a child to develop his/her strength and accomplish great things in life

• In many cases, they are often go unnoticed (or un-diagnosed) and a diagnosis may not be made until adolescence or even adulthood

 

Misunderstanding about Special Needs Students

 

• Are they a ‘disease’?

  • Not an infectious disease but neurological disorder

• Do they only affect children of ‘under-privileged’ or ‘disabled’ children?

  • Reported to occur across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups

• How under-diagnosed they are?

  • See below

 

Facts about Special Needs Students

      

• About 1/6 children in the US had a developmental disability in 2006-2008, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities

• ADHD

  • An estimated 7% of adults are affected, including some of the world’s most influential people, some of them great philosophers, athletes and entrepreneurs

  • The truth is when people with ADHD are able to find something they are passionate about, they will dedicate harder than anyone else could ever imagine – often times crushing the competition

• Dyslexia

  • In the US, the prevalence of dyslexia ranges from 5-9% according to researches

  • While many thought dyslexic people are held back by their disability, the reality is that there are many notoriously famous people who have overcome this disability to accomplish great things

  • A learning disability that manifests primarily as a difficulty with written language, particularly with reading and spelling

  • A result of a neurological difference but not an intellectual disability

• Asperger syndrome

  • Studies in Asia, Europe and North America have identified individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with an average prevalence of between 1-2%. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

  • Is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and people with the condition view the world differently and have difficulty with social, emotional and communication skills. They are often seen as eccentric.

  • Often seen as a set of behavioral traits and a child with Asperger syndrome may stand out like a sore thumb

  • People with Asperger syndrome have average or above-average intelligence

  • Some people with Asperger syndrome are very talented in their chosen field of interest and may enjoy quite significant academic and vocational success​

Special Needs Education in Different Countries

US

• An US Act makes special education programs mandatory in 1975. Students with ‘disabilities’ are entitled to receive special educational services through their local school districy from age 3 to age 18/21

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UK

• Special Education Needs’ (SEN) broad terminology is interchanged with ‘inclusion’ and ‘narrowing the gap’

• Includes a plan of care in education, health and care

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Singapore

• Mainstream schools are allocated ‘allied educators’ to support students with mild special education needs so as to help them integrate into the mainstream system

• Aim is to provide all primary and secondary schools with a certified teacher trained in special needs. Currently ALL primary schools have been staffed with at least 1 trained teacher.