1. Introduction to Special
Education
• The study of
differences
• The study of
similarities

2. Definition of Terms
• Disabled Persons are those
suffering from restriction or different
abilities, as a result of a mental,
physical or sensory impairment, to
perform an activity in the manner or
within the range considered normal
for a human being.
• Impairment is any loss, diminution
or aberration of psychological,
physiological, or anatomical
structure or function.

3. Definition of Terms
• Handicap - refers to a disadvantage for a
given individual resulting from an
impairment or a disability, that limits or
prevents the function or activity, that is
considered normal given the age and sex
of the individual.
• Disability - shall mean (1) a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits
one or more psychological, physiological or
anatomical function of an individual or
activities of such individual; (2) a record of
such an impairment; or (3) being regarded
as having such an impairment.

4. What is Special
Education
• Is an education of children who have
mental, physical, sensorial,
emotional differences and those who
are gifted and linguistically and
culturally different so as to require
modification in school curricula,
facilities and services to develop
them to their maximum capacity.

5. People and Ideas
• Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard
• Edouard Seguin
• Samuel Gridley Howe
• Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
• Alexander Graham Bell
• Maria Montessori
• Ann Sullivan Macy
• Hellen Keller
• Victor “the wild boy” of Aveyron

6. Later History
• Advocates for Change
• Pres. John F. Kennedy –
established the Commission on
Mental Retardation
• Political and social activism of
black Americans for equal access
and opportunities
• Wolfsenberger articulated
Normalization
• Deinstutionalization
• Inclusion & its best practices

7. Growth of the Discipline
Parents
Professionals Advocates
Laws Litigations

8. Litigations
• Diana v. Board of Education
(1970)
• Larry P. V. Riles (1979)
• Pennsylvania Association for
Retarded Citizens v.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Mills v. Washington, D.C. Board
of Education (1972)

9. Laws concerning
students with
disabilities( other slide)

10. Laws concerning
students with
disabilities( other slide)