Special education plays a crucial role in providing support and meeting the unique needs of students with disabilities. One key aspect of special education is specially designed instruction (SDI), which is legally mandated to ensure that students receive an education tailored to their specific requirements.
In this blog post, we will explore what SDI means, how it is incorporated into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and its implementation in the classroom.
Defining Specially Designed Instruction
Specially designed instruction refers to the adaptation of content, teaching methods, or instructional delivery to address the individualized needs of students with disabilities. Differentiation is not SDI delivery. This form of instruction is aimed at helping students access the general curriculum and meet the educational standards applicable to all children.
Core Elements of SDI:
- Content:
- The “what” of instruction, or the material taught, to ensure the student can access the general education curriculum.
- Methodology:
- The “how” of instruction. This involves the specific teaching strategies and approaches used by the special education teacher to provide equitable access to learning.
- Delivery Method:
- The “who, where, and when.” It specifies who provides the instruction (special educators or related service providers), where it happens (general ed or special ed settings), and the timing and format.
Under federal law, special education should be provided at no cost to parents. This means that any specially designed instruction required by a child’s IEP should be provided without any additional financial burden.
However, it is important to note that incidental fees typically charged to nondisabled students or their parents may still apply.
Incorporating Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in IEPs
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a crucial document that outlines the specific educational goals, services, and accommodations for each student with a disability. When developing an IEP, special education teachers work collaboratively with parents, administrators, and other professionals.
Within the IEP, specially designed instruction is included as a key component. It is essential to identify the unique needs of the student resulting from their disability and specify how these needs will be addressed through adaptive content, teaching methodologies, and instructional approaches.
Implementation Steps When IEP Writing:
- Baseline: Identify the starting point for the student’s skills and needs by collecting baseline data.
- Goal Setting: Determine where the student is expected to progress with the support of SDI based on prior goal progress and baseline data.
- Identify the Implementer: Special educators are primarily responsible, with collaboration from related service providers.
- Method of Data Collection: Define how progress will be monitored and documented (e.g., observation notes, assessments, work samples).
Implementation of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in the Classroom
Once the IEP is developed and approved, special education teachers play a vital role in implementing the specially designed instruction in the classroom. Here are some key aspects of its implementation:
Individualized Approach
Specially designed instruction recognizes that each student has distinct needs. Special education teachers tailor their teaching strategies and materials to suit the learning style and abilities of each student.
Here how paraprofessionals and support staff can assist with the delivery of SDI.
Access to General Curriculum
While addressing the unique needs of students, teachers ensure that students have access to the general curriculum. This means that students should have opportunities to learn the same content as their nondisabled peers, albeit with necessary modifications and accommodations.
Here’s why exemplary general education practices are not considered SDI.
Adaptive Techniques
Special education teachers employ various adaptive techniques to enhance student learning. These may include visual aids, assistive technology, modified assignments, alternative assessment methods, and differentiated instruction.
Collaboration and Support
Special education teachers work closely with other professionals, such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to ensure comprehensive support. They also collaborate with general education teachers to promote inclusive practices and facilitate successful integration into mainstream classrooms whenever possible.
Continuous Assessment and Monitoring
Ongoing assessment is crucial in special education. Special education teachers continuously monitor students’ progress, adjust instructional strategies as needed, and provide regular feedback to students and parents.
Examples of Specially Designed Instruction in Language Arts
Here are three examples of specially designed instruction for language arts that special education teachers may implement with their students.
Multisensory Instruction
Special education teachers often use a multisensory approach to teach language arts skills. This approach engages multiple senses, such as seeing, hearing, and touching, to reinforce learning. For example, when teaching letter recognition and phonics, teachers may incorporate activities that involve tracing letters in sand, using manipulative objects to form words, or using auditory cues for letter sounds.
Differentiated Reading Instruction
Special education teachers recognize that students with disabilities may require different levels of support in reading. They may provide differentiated instruction by using leveled reading materials matched to each student’s reading abilities. This can involve using adapted texts, simplified versions of books, or incorporating visual supports like graphic organizers to help students comprehend and analyze the content.
Explicit Instruction in Reading Comprehension Strategies
Reading comprehension can be challenging for students with disabilities. Special education teachers may explicitly teach and model specific strategies to help students understand and analyze text. This can include techniques like summarizing, making predictions, asking questions, and visualizing. Teachers help students develop their reading comprehension skills by providing explicit instruction on these strategies.
By implementing specially designed instruction effectively, special education teachers strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that enables students with disabilities to reach their full potential.
Specially designed instruction is a legal requirement in special education that aims to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Through individualized approaches, adaptations, and collaboration, special education teachers ensure that students receive an education that addresses their specific requirements while providing access to the general curriculum. By embracing these principles, educators can create a nurturing and empowering educational experience for all students in their care.
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