ERIC Number: EJ1109185
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Sep
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1540-7969
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Acquired Severe Disabilities and Complex Health Care Needs: Access to Inclusive Education
Ballard, Sarah L.; Dymond, Stacy K.
Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, v41 n3 p191-208 Sep 2016
This case study examined one high school student's access to inclusive education and experiences in an inclusive English class after he acquired severe disabilities and complex health care needs from a nontraumatic brain injury. Multiple sources of data (i.e., interviews, field notes, and documents) were collected and analyzed to formulate understanding of the unique particularities of this intrinsic, naturalistic case. Findings were organized into four major themes: (a) school reentry and adjustment, (b) communication access, (c) social inclusion, and (d) curricular access and assessment. Analysis of these major themes revealed that the focus student had minimal access to an inclusive education due to delayed school reentry, incomplete assessment data, and limited professional knowledge of acquired brain injuries and inclusive education. The student's experiences in the general education English classroom were predominantly characterized by limited access to communication and peer interactions, undefined learning priorities, and an overreliance on adult staff. Findings from this study suggest the need for additional research related to the prevalence of students with nontraumatic brain injury, supports needed by families and students post injury, professional training for school personnel, and the use of 1:1 paraprofessionals and nurses.
Descriptors: Severe Disabilities, High School Students, Case Studies, Inclusion, Brain, Head Injuries, Individualized Education Programs, Reentry Students, Student Adjustment, General Education, Special Education, Educational Legislation, Equal Education, Federal Legislation, Accessibility (for Disabled), Regular and Special Education Relationship, Paraprofessional Personnel, Nurses, Special Education Teachers, Semi Structured Interviews, Observation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A