Educators
This information is to aid in the understanding of neuromuscular disorders and their impact on the school experience. Its purpose is to enable teachers to:
- provide an appropriate education for students with neuromuscular disorders
- inform and educate students, such that their attitudes and behaviors are more inclusive towards those with a disorder
Quick Facts
- School-aged children spend more than 50 percent of their waking hours in the classroom.
- School is a fundamental aspect of any child’s life, for the purpose of academic growth as well as for emotional and social development.
- How children view themselves within the school setting often influences how they view themselves.
- The teacher plays a significant role in setting the tone for a child’s general outlook on life.
- Approximately 75% of children with disabilities could remain in classes if supplied with the appropriate assistive technology.
- The appropriate assistive technology can lower the level of school related services required of these children by about 45%.
Inclusive Education
Inclusive education refers to the placement of children of varying abilities within the same classroom. This concept is based on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive environment in which his or her needs may be appropriately addressed. The goal of an inclusive educational program is to offer effective academic instruction, as well as the opportunity to foster social networks that encourage and support desirable social behavior and lead to satisfying relationships.
A fully inclusive school setting provides the opportunity for educators and school administrators to build an environment that reflects societal ideals, that most notably being equality without discrimination. In order to accomplish this, the school organization must be flexible and must develop a comprehensive plan that addresses and meets the needs of those students with special needs.
For more information about how to foster inclusive education for students with neuromuscular dusorders, refer to our teachers' resource guide Muscle Facts.
Education and Disability
Children with progressive neuromuscular disorders face many barriers within their educational experience. Nevertheless, these children should be encouraged to pursue education as any other child so they still have the opportunity to develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Furthermore, as persons with neuromuscular disorders are rarely able to participate in demanding physical work, an appropriate education provides the means to secure knowledge based employment.
As most children spend a significant portion of their lives at school, it is particularly important to understand the impact of the child’s disability on their school experience. Teachers and parents alike should be aware how children with neuromuscular disorders manage their disability and their environments, how they feel about school, and what supports they require.
