History of Special Education

By jhoffpauir

  • 18th Century Innovations

    There has not always been special education services. During the end of the 18th century, procedures were created for teaching students with "sensory impairments" (blind or deaf)

  • "Idiotic" and "Insane"

    First attempts were made to educate "idiotic" and "insane" children

  • Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard (1774-1838)

    Began special education programs as we know them today. He was a French physician.

  • Wild Boy of Aveyron and Philippe Pinel

    A boy twelve years of age that roamed naked through France. Pinel called the boy a "hopeless idiot" but Itard improved the child's behavior through patient, systematic educative procedures.

  • Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851)

    Visited Europe to learn about teaching the deaf and established the first American residential school in Hartford for students who were deaf.

  • Samuel Gridley Howe

    Howe created the "first residential school for students who were blind". Graduate from Harvard Medical School. His success in teaching Laura Bridgman, who was deaf and blind, influenced the education of Helen Keller.

  • Ideas of Itard, Seguin, and their successors

    These men laid the foundation for present-day special education:
    Individualized instruction, sequenced educational tasks, stimulation of child's senses, child's environment, reward for correct performance, and education for every child to the greatest extent.

  • Elizabeth Farrell and CEC

    Teacher in NYC in the early 20th century who was highly instrumental in the development of special education as a profession. Farrell and a group of other special educators founded the Council for Exceptional Children

  • Deinstitutionalization Movement of late 20th century

    This was the breaking down of barriers to participation of people with disabilities in activities with non handicapped individuals

  • Inclusion

    Inclusion of exceptional learners in ordinary classrooms with their non exceptional peers

  • Individuals, parents, and organizations

    Effective national parent organizations have existed in the US only since about 1950.

  • Eunice Kennedy Shrive

    Originator of Special Olympics

  • Education for all Handicapped Children Act/IDEA/IDEIA

    Ensures that all children and youths with disabilities have the right to a free, appropriate public education

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    ensures the right of individuals with disabilities to nondiscriminatory treatment in other aspects of their lives and provides protection of civil rights in employment, transportation, government,etc.