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Pre-Revolutionary Special Education
The best that was offered by society for most children with disabilities was protection, they offered asylum from a cruel world to help them "survive". They were thought to be "imperfect" or "incomplete", and as democracy spread political reforms and leaders in medicine and education fought for those with disabilities to be taught skills that would allow them to become independent, and productive citizens. -
Procedures Developed for Teaching Children with Senory Impairments
During the closing years of the 18th century, follow the American and French Revolutions. -
First attempts to educate "Idiotic" and "Insane" Children
Early in the 19th century people put forth systematic attempts to education those who today who "are said to have intellectual disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders." The educational methods developed during this time are thought to be the techniques that inspired contemporary methods for exceptional children. -
Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard
Many believe that Itard was the man at the beginning of special education. He was a French physician who was the authority on diseases of the ear and the education of those who were deaf. -
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
A minister who in 1817 established the first American residential school in Hartford, Connecticut for students who were death, now the American School for the Deaf. -
Samuel Gridley Howe
An American physician and educator, political and social reformer, a champion of humanitarian causes and emancipation. He taught students who were deaf and blind. He was a force behind the organization of a school for children with intellectual disabilities. -
Founding of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Elizabeth Farrell, a teacher in New York City in the early 20th century, was highly important in the development of special education. In 1922 she and her colleagues created the CEC, a coucil that worked to ensures each exceptional child or youth had an appropriate education and received the services needed for optimal learning in school. -
Invention of national parent organizations
National parent organizations, like the Special Olympics, are composed of parents with exceptional children and concentrate on: 1. providing a support group, 2. providing information, and 3. providing the structure and assistance in obtained services. -
Deinstiutionalization in 1960's and 1970's
Efforts were made to move people out of institutions and back into closer contact with community. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
A landmark federal law passed in 1975. -
3.75 Million in Special Education
In the mid 70's the number of students grew steadily from about 3.75 to over 6 million in the 21st century. -
Hudson v. Rowley
The U.S. Supreme Court made its first interpretation if IDEA in Hudson v. Rowley, involving Amy Rowley, a child who was deaf. The Supreme Court decided that appropriate education for a deaf child with a disability does not necessarily mean education that will produce the maximum possible achievement. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was amended to become IDEA. IDEA ensures that all children and youths with disabilities have the right to a free, appropriate public education. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA ensures the right of the individuals with disabilities to nondiscriminatory treatment in other aspects of their lives; it provides protections of civil rights in the specific areas of employment, transportation, public accommodations, state and local government, and telecommunications. -
IDEA Amended
The law was amended, but the name stayed the same. -
6 Million in Special Education
The was a steady increased in the number of students served in special education in school from the mid 70's, at 3.75 million, until the 21st century, at over 6 million children and youths a year. -
Inclusion Controversy
The most controversial issue that came from the idea of normalization, (meaning "we should use means which are as culturally normative as possible, in order to establish and/or maintain personal behaviors and characteristics which are as culturally normative as possible."), is inclusion. Inclusion is when an exceptional child (children) are placed in a ordinary classroom with their non-exceptional peers. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
NCLB became a major factor in the focus of public schooling, including special education. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
IDEA was reauthorized to become IDEIA. -
Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification
The identification of ASD has increased dramatically since 1995 -
Scientific Advances on Casual Factors of Disability
There has been notable scientific advances and research that has helped reduce the number of children with specific disabilities.