Special Education
Special education is the education or training that provides students of differently abled which are designed to meet their unique learning needs, giving them the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. This article is providing the courses for teaching the differently abled students.
Differently abled persons require special attention and care from society. According to Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, following 21 categories are considered as differently abled peoples in India:
- Acid Attack victim
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Blindness
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Neurological conditions
- Dwarfism
- Hearing Impairment
- Hemophilia
- Intellectual Disability
- Leprosy Cured persons
- Locomotor Disability
- Low-vision
- Mental Illness
- Multiple Disabilities
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sickle Cell disease
- Specific Learning Disabilities
- Speech and Language disability
- Thalassemia
A special education teacher works with children of different ages who have a range of learning or cognitive disabilities, or emotional or physical problems. Special education teachers work to promote and manage the growth of their students in conjunction with their special needs. They teach reading, writing, and math, and for students with severe disabilities, they also teach communication and basic life skills.
Special education teachers typically do the following:
- Adapt general lessons to meet the needs of students
- Assess students’ skills to determine their needs
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
- Discuss students’ progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators
- Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress
- Plan, organize, and assign activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
- Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and for life after graduation
- Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
- Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
Courses
There are multiple levels of courses available in the special education field with different specialization as follows:
| Visual Impairment |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed.Special Education (Deaf blind) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(Db) | 2 |
| B.Ed.Special Education (Visual Impairment) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) | 2 |
| D.Ed.Special Education (Deaf blind) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(Db) | 2 |
| D.Ed.Special Education (Visual Impairment) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) | 2 |
| Diploma in Computer Education (Visual Impairment) | DCE(VI) | 1 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Visual Impairment) | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) | 2 |
| Hearing Impairment |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed. Special Education (Hearing Impairment) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) | 2 |
| D.Ed. Special Education (Hearing Impairment) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) | 2 |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (Hearing Impairment). | D.E.C.S.E.(HI) | 1 |
| Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation | D.I.S.L.I. | 2 |
| Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language | D.T.I.S.L | 2 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Hearing Impairment) | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) | 2 |
| Intellectual Disability |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed. Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) | 2 |
| D.Ed. Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) | 2 |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | D.E.C.S.E.(ID) | 1 |
| Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation (Intellectual Disability) | D.V.R.(ID) | 1 |
| Integrated Bachelor of Education-Master of Education-Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | Integrated B.Ed.- M.Ed.Spl.Ed. (ID) | 17 Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation (Intellectual Disability) D.V.R.(ID) 1 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) | 2 |
| P.G. Diploma in Early Intervention | P.G.D.E.I. | 1 |
| Learning Disability |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed. Special Education (Learning Disability) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) | 2 |
| Integrated Bachelor of Education-Master of Education Special Education (Specific Learning Disability) | IntegratedB.Ed- M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(SLD) | 3 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Learning Disability) | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) | 2 |
| Community Bsed Rehabilitation |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation | D.C.B.R. | 1 |
| Locomotor and Cerebral Palsy |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed. Special Education (Multiple Disabilities) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) | 2 |
| D.Ed. Special Education (Cerebral Palsy) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(CP) | 2 |
| D.Ed. Special Education (Multiple Disabilities) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) | 2 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Multiple Disabilities) | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) | 2 |
| Autism Spectrum and Disorder |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Ed. Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder) | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) | 2 |
| D.Ed. Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders) | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) | 2 |
| M.Ed. Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder) | MEd.Spl.Ed.(ASD) | 2 |
| Inclusive Education |
|---|
| Course | Abbreviation | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Art/Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Education Special Education | B.A./B.Com./B.Sc.B.Ed.Spl.Ed | 4 |
Required Skills
The skills and aptitudes required for a career in the special education field include the following:
- Acceptance
- Adaptability
- Confidence and Calm
- Creativity and Enthusiasm
- Dedication and Optimism
- Humorous and Easygoing
- Intuitive and calming nature
- Organisation
- Patience
- Resourcefulness
- True love of children
Eligibility Criteria
Basic requirements for admission such as aggregate marks, eligibility etc will vary slightly according to institutes/ universities. The eligibility required for different levels of courses are as mentioned below:
| Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Ed.Special Education | Bachelor's Degree or Master's degree in Sciences/ Social Sciences/ Humanities with 50% marks, Bachelor’s in Engineering or Technology with specialization in Science and Mathematics with 55 % marks or any other equivalent qualification |
| BA/ BCom/ BSc for Special Education | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| D.Ed.Special Education | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation | 10+2 or equivalent |
| Diploma in Computer Education | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation | 10+2 or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language | 1) Certificate of Disability (Deaf) 2) 10+2 or equivalent with 45% marks 3) Proficient receptive and productive skills in ISL |
| Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation | 10+2 or equivalent |
| Integrated Bachelor of Education-Master of Education-Special Education | 50% marks either in Bachelor's Degree or in Masters degree in Sciences/ Social Sciences/ Humanities, Bachelor’s in Engineering or Technology with specialization in Science and Mathematics with 55 % marks or any other qualification equivalent. |
| M.Ed. Special Education | B.Ed Spl.Ed. with minimum 50% marks in the respective disability area/ any other degree considered equivalent to B.Ed Spl. Ed. Or B.Ed. General plus Diploma in Education Special Education in respective disability area with minimum 50 % marks in each course Or B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. B.Ed. Spl.Ed. (4 years Integrated) with valid RCI registration |
| P.G. Diploma in Early Intervention | MBBS, BMR or BRS(MR), B.Ed in Special Education, Masters in Child Development, Bachelors in OT, PT, ST., Masters in Child Psychology with 50% marks (40% marks for SC and ST candidates) |
Entrance Examination
Admissions to Special Education courses in universities or colleges are based on either merit or entrance exams and the common entrance exams are listed below.
Rehabilitation Council of India conducting online entrance test (All india online aptitude test) for DEd courses
BEd and MEd courses are admitted by universities/ institutes. For details regarding entrance tests for these courses, enquire at concerned Universities or Teacher Training Institutes
Job Profiles
Followings are some of the job profiles for the career in Special Education:
- Educational Consultant
- Guidance Counselor
- Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT-C)
- Multi Disciplinary Team
- Publishing Assistant
- Reading Specialist
- Remedial Teacher
- Resource Teacher
- Special Education Advocate
- Special Educator
- Special Teacher
Top Recruiters
There are job opportunities related to special education in both Government and private sectors. Most of the jobs will be in educational institutes for differently abled persons. Followings are some of the firms where jobs for special education experts are available:
- Autism Centers
- Buds Schools
- CBSE Schools
- Early Intervention Centers
- Gov, of India
- Govt. of various states
- Mobile Intervention Units
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Special Anganwadies
- Special Schools
- Teachers Training Institutes
Institutions
National institutes offering special education courses:
| institutions | courses |
|---|---|
| Aliyavar Jung National institute of Speech and Hearing, Mumbai | MEd Spl.Ed(HI) BEd Spl.Ed (HI) Ded Spl.Ed (HI) Ded Spl.Ed (ASD) Ded Spl.Ed (ID) |
| All India Institute for Speech & Hearing , Naimisham Campus, Manasa Gangothri, Mysore, Karnataka – 570006 | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) D.E.C.S.E (HI) |
| Amity University Amity Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201303 | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) Integrated B.A / B.Com / B.Sc. B.Ed. Special Education Integrated B.EdM.Ed.Spl.Ed (ID) Integrated B.Ed M.Ed.Spl.Ed (Specific Learning Disability) |
| Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, District Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed (VI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed (HI) |
| Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education for Women, Faculty of Education, Department of Special Education, Campus 2, Veerapalyen, Coimbatore, Chennai | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) B.Sc.(Spl.Ed.&.Reh) |
| Banaras Hindu University, Faculty of Education, (BHU) Kamachha, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 221010 | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Dr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech & Hearing, Hennur Road, Kariyanapalya, Bangalore, Karnataka – 560084 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) |
| Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy IICP, Formerly Spastic Society of Eastern India), Taratolla Road, Culcutta, West Bengal | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) |
| Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre (ISLRTC), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Nagpal Business Tower, Okhla, New Delhi 110020 | D.I.S.L.I. D.T.I.S.L. |
| Jai Narain Vyas University Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID). B.A/B.Com./B.Sc.B.Ed.Spl. Ed Integrated B.Ed M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, Dept. of Teacher Training & Non Formal Education, New Delhi | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) |
| National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Kancheepuram , Kovalam Po, Tamilnadu | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(Db) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(CP) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(DB) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(MD) M.Ed.SPl.Ed.(MD), M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) |
| National Institute for the Empowerment of person s with visual Disabilities (Divyangjan), (NIVH) Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Uttrakhand– | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) |
| National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons With Intellectual Disability (Divyangjan) Regional Centre, Regional Centre, Flat No. B-102 Vasundhara CHS, Plot No. 13-14, Sector No. 8, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai | D.E.C.S.E.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.V.R.(ID) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped Manovikas Nagar, P.O. Bowenpally, Secunderabad, Telangana – 500009 | D.V.R (ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) M.Ed Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University (RKMVU), SRKV Post, IHRDC Campus, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu | M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) Integrated B.Ed.- M.Ed.Spl.Ed. (ID) |
Institutes offering special education courses in Kerala:
| institutions | courses |
|---|---|
| AWH College of Education, Cheruvannur, Feroke P.O, Calicut 673 631 Tel. No.: 0495 – 2484356, Website: www.awhcollegeofeducation.org | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID), B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) D.C.B.R. |
| C.H. Mohammed Koya Memorial State Institute for the Mentally Challenged Pangappara, Thiruvananthapuram Tel. no.: 0471-2418524 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) |
| C.S.I. Training Centre for Teachers of the Hearing Impaired, P.O. Valakom, Kollam Tel.No.- 0474-2472468, 0471-2339337 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(HI) |
| Central Institute on Mental Retardation, Murinjapalam, Medical College P.O Thiruvananthapuram, Tel.No.- 0471-2441376 /2445796 Web: www.cimr.info | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Composite Regional Centre For Persons With Disabilities, Kozhikode- IMHANS Campus Govt. Medical College, P.O Kozhikode, 673008 Tel.No.– 0495-2730045 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(CP) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Department of Psychology Calicut University- PO, District –Malappuram Tel. No.: 0494 – 2407518, 9446405056, www.universityofcalicut.info | P.G.D.R.P |
| Faith India Institute of Special Education, Viyya Kurssi (PO), Thachampara (Via), Palakkad Tel.No 04924-235206 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Government Special Teachers Training Centre Blind School Compound, Kasargod, Tel. no. 04994 256212 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Government Special Teachers Training Centre,Parappanangadi, Chettippadi P.O, Malappuram Tel. No. 0494 2410262 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Janey College of Allied Health Eroor, Ernakulam Tel.No.: 0484-2779920 Website: www.janeycenter.org | D.V.R.(ID) |
| K.V.M College of Special Education , KVM Trust Complex, Post Box No. 30, Cherthala, Alappuzha District, Tel. 0478-2822228, 0478 – 2810980 Website: www.kvmtrust.in | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Kerala Federation of the Blind, Training Centre for the Teachers of V.H.Kunnukuzhy, Thiruvananthapuram Tel.No.- 0471-2304 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(VI) |
| Kusumagiri Mental Health Centre, Kusumagiri P.O., Kakkanad, Kochi Tel.No.04842422215,Website:www.kusumagirihospital.org | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) |
| National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vallakkunnu, P.O. Kallettumkara, Thrissur 680683 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(CP) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ASD) |
| National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH) Karimanalryam, P.O. Trivandrum Tel- 0471-2596919, 2596920 | D.T.Y.(DHH) D.I.S.L.I. |
| Nirmala Sadan Training College for Special Education, Ernakulam, Muvattupuzha, Tel.: 0485- 2835326, 2836903.Website: www.nirmalasadan.org | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) M.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(LD) |
| Pope Paul Mercy Home Teachers Training Centre, Peringandoor, Thrissur Tel. No.: - 0487 – 2200261, Website: www.popepaulmercyhome.org | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Raksha Society for the Care of Children with Multiple Handicaps, “Yasmin Manzil” , Darragh – es – Salaam Road, Kochangadi, Cochin Tel.No.: 0484-227707/ 227937, Website: www.rakshasociety.org | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(CP) |
| RSMH Teacher Training Institute, 15/769 , Velliparamba, Calicut 673008 Tel. No.: 0495-2353513, 2358154 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Sadan College of Special Education, Ankamaly-683 572, Ernakulam Tel:0484-2456283 | D.V.R.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| St. John of God College of Special Education, Velloor P.O. Pampady, Kottayam. Tel. No.: 0481 – 2373235 | D.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| St. John The Baptist’s College of Special Education, Nedumkunnam-686542 Kottayam. Tel. no. 0481-2485048, www.sjbspecialeducation.org | B.Ed.Spl.Ed.(ID) |
| Training Institute of Multi Rehabilitation Technology, “Mercy Home”,Chethipuzha, Kurisummoodu PO, Changanassery, Kottayam Tel. No.: 0481 – 6523988, 2728240 | D.R.T. |
Questions & Answers
Q) Who is a special education teacher?
A) Special education teachers work with students and youths who have learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They teach reading, writing, and math, and for students with severe disabilities, they also teach communication and basic life skills.
Q) Why do you love being a special education teacher?
A) There is not much better than helping a student reach their potential. It’s rewarding to know you have been able to reach them and help them on their way to future independence.
Q) Can a special education teacher teach general education?
A) Special education teachers could no longer teach students who hadn’t been identified as having a learning or other disability.