History of Special Education

By chrispye
  • Period: to

    "The beginning of Special Education as we know it"

    Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard began to educate a young 12 year old boy that was running through the woods naked..marked “the beginning of special education as we know it” by using patient, systematic educative procedures… Sparked one of the oldest controversies (Nature vs. Nurture)

  • First Residential School for the Deaf was established

    Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet established the first American residential school, in Hartford Conn. For students who were deaf. (Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. – liberal arts college for deaf students – named in his honor)

  • Perkins School for the blind was founded

    Samuel Gridley Howe founded the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass. He taught Laura Bridgman, who was both deaf and blind.. this influenced the education of Hellen Keller.

  • New England Asylum for the Blind founded

    Samuel Gridley Howe establishes the New England Asylum for the Blind

  • Massachusetts school for Idiotic and Feeble Minded Children

    Samuel Gridley Howe establishes the Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble Minded Children

  • First public school class for children with hearing impairments open in Boston

  • Elizabeth Farrell, later to become the first president of the Council for Exceptional Children, begins a program for “backwards” or “slow learning” children in New York City

  • Council for Exceptional Children Founded

    Organization that later would become the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is founded in New York City

  • Association for Retarded Children (ARC)

    Association for Retarded Children (ARC) is founded (known today as the Association for Retarded Citizens, or simply the ARC)

  • National Association for Gifted is founded

  • Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (forerunner to Learning Disabilities Association of America) is organized

  • "Normalization"

    Wolf Wolfensberger introduces the concept of normalization, initially coined by Begt Nirge of Sweden, to the United States

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) is passed; landmark legislation ensures, among other provisions, a free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    1990 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (commonly known as IDEA) is passed; among other provisions, emphasizes transition planning for adolescents with disabilities

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336) becomes law; prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability