Strategies and Accommodations for High-Incidence Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms

As a general education teacher, you will encounter students with a wide range of abilities, needs, and skills. The ability to apply specific strategies for supporting students with exceptionalities in the academic environment is essential for meeting the diverse needs of students in the inclusive classroom.

For this assignment, create two mind maps that illustrate the effects of two high incidence disabilities and potential accommodations that can be implemented in the inclusive classroom to address the challenges these students experience.

Part 1: Conduct Research

Use the topic Resources and conduct your own research about the cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with each disability below. Conduct additional research about specific research-based accommodations that can be applied to address these challenges in the inclusive classroom environment.

• Specific Learning Disability in Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
• Other Health Impairment ADD/ADHD

Part 2: Mind Maps

After completing the research, use a free tool of your choice, such as Canva or MindMeister, to create an individual mind map for each of the two disabilities you have researched. Each mind map should contain the following information.

• Title
• Central node that specifically names the disability.
• Four main branches are cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional. Each branch should explain briefly how the disability affects the student (i.e., The cognitive effects of ASD on a student are….).
• Sub-branches for each of the four main branches explaining/providing examples of what the effects look like/sound like in the classroom (i.e., Cognitive effects of ASD look like… and sound like… in the classroom).
• Accommodations for each of the four main branches. Select one research-based accommodation and explain how it supports the students in the inclusive classroom and addresses the challenges identified on each sub-branch (i.e., XYZ accommodation addresses the cognitive effects of ASD by …).

See the “SPD-508 Sample Mind Map” for a basic idea of how this information can be arranged.

Part 3: Reflection

Review the “Through Your Child’s Eyes” topic Resources and think about what you learned from viewing the selected grade level videos. In a 250 word reflection, address the following:

• Identify the grade level you focused on and summarize the challenges the students faced.
• Describe what viewing the videos taught you about how various disabilities affect students in and away from the educational environment. When summarizing the challenges students faced in the videos, consider how students from different linguistic, cultural, or family backgrounds may experience additional layers of difficulty. Explain how teachers can ensure that instructional strategies are both culturally responsive and inclusive for students with exceptionalities. Include a discussion about how linguistic, cultural, or family differences might influence the way students experience disabilities and discuss specific ways to adapt your teaching to support diverse learners in the classroom.
• Consider the “Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE),” and discuss the ethical responsibilities you have as a general education teacher to ensure that the needs of students with exceptionalities are met in the inclusive classroom environment.

Support the assignment with a minimum of three scholarly resources. Each of the accommodations listed in your mind maps should be supported with an in-text citation.

https://www.understood.org/en/through-my-eyes

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

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Step-by-Step Guide for Structuring and Writing Your Mind Map Assignment

Step 1: Conduct Research

1. Identify the Disabilities: Focus on the two high-incidence disabilities:

   • Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

   • Other Health Impairments (ADD/ADHD)

2. Explore Key Domains: Research how each disability affects:

   • Cognitive development (e.g., memory, attention, problem-solving)

   • Linguistic abilities (e.g., reading, writing, communication)

   • Social skills (e.g., peer interactions, collaboration)

   • Emotional regulation (e.g., frustration tolerance, self-esteem)

3. Find Research-Based Accommodations: Search scholarly databases (GCU Library, ERIC, JSTOR) for evidence-based strategies for each disability and domain. Example accommodations: multi-sensory instruction, flexible seating, chunked assignments.

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Step 2: Create the Mind Maps

1. Select a Mind Mapping Tool: Use free tools like Canva, MindMeister, or Lucidchart.

2. Set the Structure:

   • Title: Include the disability name.

   • Central Node: Label with the specific disability (e.g., Dyslexia).

   • Four Main Branches: Cognitive, Linguistic, Social, Emotional.

   • Sub-Branches:

     • Explain how the disability affects students in the classroom.

     • Include examples (look/sound like) for each domain.

     • Include a research-based accommodation that addresses the domain-specific challenges.

3. Citation: Add in-text citations next to each accommodation in APA format.

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Step 3: Write the Reflection

1. Introduction (1–2 sentences): State the grade level you focused on.

2. Challenges Observed: Summarize the challenges students faced in the videos from the “Through My Child’s Eyes” resource.

3. Insights on Disabilities: Discuss how disabilities affect students both in and out of school, including considerations for linguistic, cultural, or family background.

4. Culturally Responsive Instruction: Explain strategies for adapting instruction to meet diverse student needs.

5. Ethical Responsibilities: Relate your discussion to the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) and your duty to support students with exceptionalities.

6. Conclusion (2–3 sentences): Summarize key insights and the importance of inclusive, supportive instruction.

7. Word Count: Ensure reflection is around 250 words.

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Step 4: Compile and Format

1. APA Guidelines:

   • Include a title page.

   • Use double-spacing, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins.

   • Cite at least three scholarly sources.

2. Submit Your Work: Attach mind maps and reflection as required.

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Step 5: Useful Resources

• Mind Mapping Tools: Canva Mind Maps, MindMeister

• Inclusive Education Resources: Understood.org – Through My Eyes

• APA Formatting Guide: Purdue OWL APA Guide

• Special Education Research: ERIC Database

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