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Student Support - Special Needs Program

 

The Special Needs Program at WCC Aurukun Campus provides those students who have been identified as requiring additional support with access to modified programs designed to meet their needs through inclusive classroom practices and withdrawal. The Special Needs Unit under construction will provide a fantastic base to further develop the range of supports offered to assist students in scaffolded learning which best meets their needs.

 

Teachers are required to meet with the SWDT three times a term (start, middle and end) to plan how the goals of the student’s IEP are assessed and the required information recorded.

 

The provision of Special Needs Programs will change with the completion of the Special Needs Unit in the near future.  This will mean that students will have access to many interactive and adaptive resources previously unavailable to them in Aurukun.  There will also be improved options in relation to dedicated teaching time for specific skills building as part of a Special Needs class whilst maintaining close links with their roll class for modified and inclusive activities.

 

Reporting to parents is provided by both classroom and special needs teachers.

 

Soundfield Amplification Systems

 

Purpose:

 

The installation of soundfield amplification systems has assisted in improving student access to learning in the classroom. 

 

Context:

 

At Western Cape College, Aurukun Campus estimates are that at least 80% of children have significant hearning problems - conductive or sensorineural hearing loss can affect as many as 75% of students.  Otitis Media (see below for further informaion), or Runny/Glue Ear is the predoninant hearing health issue. Otitis Media comes and goes as does the flue and can cause significant hearing loss. At present 15 of the 17 verified students are verified HI (Hearing Impaired) - 88%.

 

Soundfield Amplification Systems have been used in many schools now with outstanding results; one study found that the use of these systems in indigenous schools resulted in (www.nal.gov.au):

 

  • increased verbal communication
  • increased response to teacher instruction in class
  • children more proactive in discussions
  • decrease in disruptive behaviours
  • less voice fatigue on teachers.

These systems are used with great success in classrooms where hearing loss has been identified as a major learning barrier. The system is not a substitute for personal hearing devices, but is used in conjunction with them. The cost of each system Is $2,750, money well spent if the system is always used.

 

PLAN:

 

BASIC OPERATION:

 

Your head set has a frequency number located on the inside of the battery compartment, which matches the channel on the base unit, which causes the two to operate together. This can be changed, but only needs to be done so if there is interference.

 

  • Turn on your head set
  • Turn on the base unit
  • Adjust volume to appropriate level (4 – 6 seems to be best).

 

TROUBLE SHOOTING:

 

  • Interference
    • Causes
      • Metal
      • Mobile Phone
      • Power
      • Computers
      • Fluro Lights
      • Other transmissions close to or on same channel
    • Solutions
      • Shift Equipment
      • Change Channels
      • If using two headsets, channels must be at least 5 channels apart
      • Adjust aerial on base unit
  • Feedback
    • Cause
      • Sound from speakers getting back into the microphone
    • Solutions
      • Lower the volume on the base unit
      • Increase distance between speakers and headset
      • Adjust tone control (less treble)
      • Check direction of Aerial on base unit, direct away from metal or hard shiny surfaces
      • Check headset/base unit  is not in line with speakers
      • Move base unit to another power point if feedback occurs when transmitters are off
      • Reduce reverberation by adding soft furnishings to room or bookshelves etc to break up flat surfaces
  • No Sound
    • Causes
      • Power
      • Different channels on base unit and headset
      • Disconnected microphones, antennas or speakers
      • Microphone positioning and transmitter antenna
      • Volume turned down
      • Low batteries in headset
    • Solutions
      • Check batteries
      • Check base unit and headset are turned on
      • Check connections
      • Check the power point
      • Check fuse located in the “drawer” near power chord outlet
      • Check frequency setting on headset and base unit are the same and the selector switch is set to the channel (1 or 2) that matches the frequency
      • Check mic is inserted properly and chord for damage
      • Check antenna on base unit is connected properly
      • Check wires are connected to base unit and speakers
      • Check mic positioning and that chord is fully extended

 

Location of Soundfield Amplification Systems:

 

  • 1 in G-Block
  • 1 in H-Block
  • 2 in C-Block
  • 2 in B-Block

 

OTITIS MEDIA

 

Below is a very brief outline and look at Otitis Media:

 

WHAT IS OTITIS MEDIA?

 

Otitis media refers to inflammation in the middle ear area. There are different forms of otitis media. Typically, when the doctor refers to an ear infection, he or she is most likely talking about "acute otitis media" (although there's also the common ear infection called swimmer's ear, or otitis externa). Acute otitis media is the presence of fluid, typically pus, in the middle ear with symptoms of pain, redness of the eardrum, and possible fever.

 

WHY DO KIDS GET MIDDLE EAR INFECTIONS?

 

Children develop ear infections more frequently in the first 2 to 4 years of life for several reasons:

 

·         Their eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults, which allows bacteria and viruses to find their way into the middle ear more easily. Their tubes are also narrower and less stiff, which makes them more prone to blockage.

·         The adenoids, which are gland-like structures located in the back of the upper throat near the eustachian tubes, are large in children and can interfere with the opening of the eustachian tubes.

·         Children's immune systems aren't fully developed until the age of 7. Therefore, they have more trouble fighting infections.

 

There are also a number of other factors that contribute to children getting ear infections. The more common ones are exposure to cigarette smoke, bottle-feeding, and day-care attendance.

 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?


The signs and symptoms of acute otitis media may range from very mild to severe: 

 

  • The fluid in the middle ear may push on the eardrum, causing ear pain. An older child may complain of an earache, but a younger child may tug at the ear or simply act irritable and cry more than usual.
  • Lying down, chewing, and sucking can also cause painful pressure changes in the middle ear, so a child may eat less than the normal amount or have trouble sleeping.
  • If the pressure from the fluid build up is high enough, it can cause the eardrum to rupture, resulting in drainage of fluid from the ear. This releases the pressure behind the eardrum, usually bringing on relief from the pain.

Fluid build up in the middle ear also blocks sound, which can lead to temporary hearing difficulties. A child may:

 

  • not respond to soft sounds
  • turn up the television or radio
  • talk louder
  • appear to be inattentive at school

Other symptoms of acute otitis media may also include:

 

  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dizziness

 

For more information on Otitis Media click on the links below

 

/www.medicinenet.com/otitis_media/article.htm

 

/www.kidsource.com/ASHA/otitis.html

 

/www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/ear/otitis_media.html

 

/www.hearing.com.au

 
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