UNIT IV
OVERVIEW:
TYPOLOGY OF LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Understand the different types of learners with special needs and their
characteristics.
2. Identify the challenges faced by learners with special needs and the best
educational strategies to support them.
PREPARATION
WHAT TO DO:
Instructions: In the 4 Pics Puzzle activity, identify the common word from four images and fill it
in the crossword. Use clues from other words if needed, complete all puzzles, and review your answers for
accuracy.
PRESENTATION
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN:
TYPOLOGY OF LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
❖ Cerebral Palsy - is a group of disorders that
affect a person’s ability to move and maintain
balance and posture.
A. LEARNERS WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
❖ Down Syndrome – a genetic condition that
causes mild to serious physical and
developmental problems.
❖ Dyslexia – Dyslexia is a learning disorder that
involves difficulty reading due to problems
identifying speech sounds and learning how they
relate to letters and words (decoding).
B. LEARNERS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITY
❖ Dysgraphia – Dysgraphia, also called as writing
disability, is a neurological disorder of written
expression that impairs writing ability and fine
motor skills.
❖ Dyscalculia – also called “arithmetic disability,”
it is a condition that makes it hard to do math and
tasks that involve math.
C. LEARNERS WITH PHYSICAL
DISABILITY
❖ Visual Impairment – Those children who are
suffering from impaired conditions, difficulties
and deficiencies present in their visual organs
which make them different from children with
normal vision to the extent of requiring special
education provision.
❖ Hearing Impairment – Hearing loss; children
who are suffering to hear or understand sounds.
❖ Speech Impairment – It is a speech issue if
sounds fluency, or voice that interferes with
communication, negatively affects performance
and functioning in the educational environment,
and result in the need for exceptional student
education.
❖ Multiple Physical Impairment – Also known as
multiple disabilities, it means a person has more
than one serious disabilities which may affect
mobility, behavior, emotion, or sensory abilities.
D. LEARNERS WHO ARE GIFTED
AND TALENTED
❖ Gifted -Gifted means having exceptional talent
or natural ability.
❖ Talented -Talented means having a natural
aptitude or skill for something.
❖ Emotional – Behavioral Disorder - “Emotional
and Behavioral Disorder” is an umbrella term
under which several distinct diagnoses fall.
❖ Anxiety Attacks/ Disorder -Anxiety is a common
emotion when dealing with daily stresses and
problems. But these motions are persistent,
excessive and irrational, and affect a person’s
ability to function, anxiety becomes a disorder.
E. LEARNERS WITH SOCIOEMOTIONAL DISORDER
❖ Depression Disorder - causes feelings of sadness
and/or a loss of interest in activities you once
enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and
physical problems and can decrease your ability
to function at work and at home.
❖ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – An anxiety in
which people have unwanted and repeated
thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions),
or behaviors that make them feel driven to do
something.
❖ Bipolar Disorder – a brain disorder that causes
shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, ability to
carry out day to day tasks, and behavior from the
highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of
depression on the other.
❖ Asthma - is a chronic respiratory condition where
the airways become inflamed, leading to
temporary narrowing and difficulty breathing.
❖ Diabetes - is a chronic condition where the
body’s ability to process blood glucose (sugar) is
impaired, leading to high or low blood sugar
levels.
F. LEARNERS WITH CHRONIC
ILLNESSES
❖ Epilepsy - is a chronic neurological disorder
characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,
ranging from brief lapses in attention to severe
convulsions.
❖ Allergies - result from an abnormal immune
response to substances in the environment
(allergens), causing various symptoms.
PRACTICE
WHAT WILL YOU WRITE:
(½ CROSSWISE)
1. Choose a disability that has been discussed and write it on the paper.
2. Explain
what
you’ve
understood
about
the
disability:
As a future educator, how will you handle a learner possessing that kind of disability?
PERFORMANCE
WHAT WILL YOU PERFORM:
Directions: The class will be divided into six groups, and each group will be assigned a disability
to portray in a role play. The scenario should demonstrate the challenges faced by the student and
how a teacher can effectively support them in the classroom.
CRITERIA
DESCRIPTION
Understanding the Disability
The group clearly explains
the chosen disability based on
prior discussions.
Demonstrates accurate
knowledge.
20%
Application in Roleplay
The disability is portrayed
realistically in the roleplay,
showing challenges faced by
the learner.
20%
Educator’s Handling
Approach
The future educator character
presents a thoughtful and
effective strategy for
supporting the learner.
20%
Dialogue and Communication
Conversations are clear,
engaging, and relevant.
Characters effectively convey
emotions and responses.
15%
Creativity & Realism
The roleplay is engaging,
realistic, and demonstrates
creativity in problem-solving
or interactions.
15%
Teamwork & Participation
All group members contribute
to the roleplay and
demonstrate cooperation.
Balanced participation.
10%
TOTAL:
WEIGHT(%)
100%
ASSIGNMENT
WHAT WILL YOU DO:
Differentiate the typical and atypical development of children.
REFERENCE:
Denslow, S. (2020). Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome: Comparing causes, effects, and
management. FlintRehab.
https://www.flintrehab.com/cerebral-palsy-and-down-syndrome/
Gill, J., & Leppert, M. (2024). Dyslexia, dysgraphia & dyscalculia: Helping kids with learning
disorders Thrive. HealthyChildren.org.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/learningdisabilities/Pages/Types-of-Learning-Problems.aspx
Olsson, L. (2023). Does my child have a learning disability? Banner Health.
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/diagnosing-common-learning-disabilities
Seifert, K., & Sutton, R. (2024). Educational psychology. SUNY ER Services.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-educationalpsychology/chapter/gifted-and-talentedstudents/
Raising Children Network. (2025). About gifted children and talented children.
RaisingChildren.net.au.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/gifted-talented-children/about-giftedchildren
Stulmaker, H., & Ray, D. (2015). Mental health professionals applying the therapeutic power of
play. Association for Play Therapy. https://www.a4pt.org/page/SocialEmotionalBehav
Denise, L., & Cook, R. (2023). Emotional & behavioral disorders: Definition, causes & types.
Study.com.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/emotional-behavioral-disorders-definitioncharacteristics-causes.html
Consolini, D. M. (2024). Children with chronic health conditions. MSD Manual Professional
Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/caring-for-sick-children-and-theirfamilies/children-with-chronic-health-conditions