Adolescents with multiple disabilities and their instructors face major challenges on a daily basis in school and society. Since the early 1980s, the educational system has made a greater effort to make sure all students get a chance to participate, including those who face the challenges associated with disabilities. Technological and strategic advances have helped adolescents with multiple disabilities in the classroom and outside of it.
Characteristics
Adolescents with multiple disabilities face major challenges. They include language delay and speech problems, limited or no verbal communication skills and a lack of basic physical mobility. Others are limited self-care skills and independent community living skills, problems with attention, perception, memory and problem solving, slow rate of learning and an inability to relate to people. People with multiple disabilities often have an array of medical problems, including hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, seizures and scoliosis. These students are challenged in every aspect of life, but they do not have to be isolated.
Treat The Individual
The schools and special education programs have taken the lead in helping adolescents contend with multiple disabilities and participate in as many activities as possible. The public schools are charged with making sure all students get an education, and the schools' strategy is to value each individual's dignity. It's important to encourage each adolescent with multiple disabilities to be as active in daily life as possible. The idea is that each individual is a person to be treated with dignity, and not just as someone with multiple disabilities. Following the school's lead and treating the adolescent with dignity outside the classroom is vital.
Learning
Programs for students with multiple disabilities often focus on giving the student as many opportunities to learn as possible. The primary focus is the development of language functions and other cognitive skills. Technology helps students with physical limitations to become active participants in learning activities and thus enhances learning opportunities.That technology includes a wide range of computer software that helps disabled adolescents with activities inside the classroom and outside of it.
Sports and Recreation
A wide range of sports and recreational activities can give adolescents with multiple disabilities a chance to participate. Those include a beeping softball for blind or sight-impaired players, supportive playground swings, adaptive tricycles and powered chairs that give students the chance to move around for sports or recreation.
