As per the U.S. Department of Education, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.”

Students with disabilities, i.e. special needs students require special education. Students with learning difficulties, mental and/or physical disabilities often require special attention for the purposes of education. Often this may involve tailoring education to suit individual requirements of the student. As special needs students may each have their own levels of learning, special needs education is designed to suit the pace and learning capacity of the student accordingly.

On May 3, 2008, the United Nations introduced and enforced the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. The Convention was originally adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The chief aim of this UN Convention is to ensure that people with disabilities across the world enjoy the same rights as people without any physical or mental disabilities.

Special education is a very important consideration for children with disabilities. When children suffer from academic difficulties as a result of their physical, mental or learning disabilities, it is important they are enrolled in special needs education programs that will help them maximise their learning potential.

You can help your child with disabilities to communicate and move if you encourage them to take part in daily activities. Dressing and bathing can be opportunities to encourage your child’s development. Children learn a lot in the first three years – so it’s a good idea to start as early as possible.