From the archive record
The term special needs is a catch-all phrase which can refer to a vast array of diagnoses and/or disabilities. Children with special needs may have been born with a syndrome, terminal illness, profound cognitive impairment, or serious psychiatric problems. Other children may have special needs that involve struggling with learning disabilities, food allergies, developmental delays, or panic attacks. The designation “children with special needs” is for children who may have challenges which are more severe than the typical child, and could possibly last a lifetime. These children will need extra support, and additional services as can be seen in the video where the teacher is sitting with an individual student to help them learn. They will have distinct goals and will need added guidance an