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2005 Special Needs Program

 

The Special Needs with Inclusion Program at WCC Aurukun Campus involves students being withdrawn from regular classes for specified periods of time to address the specific needs of the child that can�t otherwise be addressed in an inclusive setting.

 

Students involved are still placed on the regular class role and teachers are still required to report on these students. The report is negotiated between the class teacher, the special needs teacher and teacher aides for the areas that have been addressed with the student during the semester�s withdrawal program.

 

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 amount of withdrawal and the type of instruction that occurs depends upon the needs of the student. The type of instruction varies from academic and listening skill remediation to social skilling.

 

2005 Soundfield Amplification Systems

 

Purpose:

 

The acquisition of 5 soundfield amplification systems will improve student educational outcomes by enabling them to significantly hear better in class.

 

Context:

 

At Western Cape College, Aurukun Campus there are a significant number of children with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss; at times it can be as high as 75% of the students in our classes at one time. This happens for a number of reasons, the main cause in Aurukun being Otitis Media (see below for further informaion), or Runny/Glue Ear. Otitis Media comes and goes as the flue does and can cause significant hearing loss. At present 15 of the 17 students who are verified 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.

 

It is vital that these systems are used in your classrooms. The system does not work by making your voice louder, but rather ensures it comes to the student from every angle. Please note that they do not substitute personal hearing devices, but are to be 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 (2004)
  • 1 in H-Block ( 2005)
  • 2 in C-Block (2005)
  • 2 in B-Block (2005)

 

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 EASR 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:

 

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

 

Jonno Simmons, Special needs teacher

Western Cape College, Aurukun Campus
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