SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS

Art programs in Maine schools are inclusive of all students regardless of their levels of ability. All students in our schools deserve a cumulative and sequential and quality art education designed to fit their needs. In order to design adaptations for students, their needs should be investigated by obtaining access to their records and IEPs. Specialists who teach these students should be contacted to get an overview and insight into their special requirements.

Often, special needs students have aides to assist them or they are in separate classrooms for all or part of the school day. If a one-to-one aide is recommended for all classroom activities, they should come with their student for art class as well. Their ability to learn in art depends on having the same support as in other classes.

There should be art programs for students who remain in self-contained special needs classrooms all day. Consult with special education/contained classroom teachers/behavior specialists on how to develop an art program. Art teachers should be prepared to teach this program if their schedule permits. If scheduling does not permit, they may provide guidance in teaching as well as art content to be taught by those responsible for the classes.

Gifted and talented students comprise 3-5% of our student population. Often these students can be challenged in the regular art program by upgrading their lesson to another grade level, changing medium, or addition of other objectives to the lesson. Additional instruction can be given by volunteer community artists on a one-to-one or small group basis. When time, permits a small G & T program is always a valuable addition to these students' education in the arts.

Strategies for accommodating students with special needs include:

• Assess the developmental stage of each student and design art activities to fit.

• Alter the medium or theme of the lesson to fit students' knowledge and interests.

• Adapt tools to fit students' abilities.

• Adjust time expectations.

• Change the classroom setting to fit students' needs.

• Adapt approaches to teaching and evaluation.

Altering the lesson makes the experience more worth while for both art teacher and students. Guidance and insight into differences in behavior and abilities and individual needs of each student will help provide a quality art program for all.

Community Resources:

Maine Parent Federation/SPIN
P.O. Box 2067
Augusta, Maine 04338-2067
1-800-870-7746

Northeast Occupational Exchange, Inc.
Newport, Maine 04953
1-800-857-0500

Child Development Services - Aroostook County
169 Academy Street
Presque lsle, ME 04769
764-4511

Child Development Services - Androscoggin County
377 Main Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
795-4022

Child Development Services - Cumberland Co.
999 Forest Avenue
Portland, ME 04103
878-8611

Child Development Services - Franklin Co.
28 High Street, Suite #2
Farmington, ME 04938
778-6262

Child Development Services - Hancock Co.
RR #5, Box 508X
Ellsworth, ME 04605
667-7108

Child Development Services - Knox County
111 Tillson Street
Rockland, ME 04841
594-5933

Child Development Services - Lincoln County
P.O. Box 1114
Damariscotta, ME 04543
563-1411

Child Development Services - Penobscot County
376 Harlow Street
Bangor, ME 04401
947-8493

Child Development Services - Southern Kennebec
Suite 500, 263 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330
623-4989

Child Development Services - Waldo County
139 Northport Avenue
Belfast, ME 04915
338-1177

Child Development Services - Washington County
P.O. Box 708
Machias, ME 04654
255-4892

Child Development Services - York County
39 Limerick Road
Arundle, ME 04046
985-7861

Child Development Services - GUIDE
26A Monument Square
P.O. Box 312
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
564-3115

Child Development Services - Opportunities
94 Main Street
P.O. Box 272
Norway, ME 04268

Child Development Services - SEARCH
32 Turner Street
Brunswick, ME 04011
725-6365

Child Development Services - Project PEDS
159 Silver Street
Waterville, ME 04901
877-2498

The University of Kansas
The Beach Center on Families with Disability
311 Haworth
Lawrence, KS 66045

PENQUlS Community Action Programs (Check your local office)
P.O. Box 1162
Bangor, ME 04402-11 62
973-3500

USM Child Care Services
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300
1-800-295-4772

State Mental Retardation Program
40 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
287-4262

Very Special Arts Maine - Arts For All
P.O. Box 4002
Portland, ME 04101
761-3861

Texts:

• Educating Artistically Gifted Students, Clark, G. & Zimmerman, E., (1984), Syracuse University Press.

• Exceptional Art, Exceptional Children: Fostering Creativity and Encouraging Independence, Frost, J., (1985), Special Literature.

• Exceptional Children, Exceptional Art, Henley, D. R., (1997), Davis Pub.

• Gifted and Talented in Art Education, Madeja, S. M., (1983), NAEA.

• Issues and Approaches to Art for Students with Special Needs, Nyman, A. L. and Jenkins, A. M. (Eds.), (1999), National Art Education Association.

• The Special Artist's Handbook: Art Activities and Adaptive Aids for Handicapped Students, Rodriguez, S., (1984), Prentice Hall.

• The Special Artist's Handbook: Art Activities for Handicapped Students, Rodriguez, S., (1997), Dale Seymore Pub.