Special education is instruction designed for students with disabilities. It covers a wide range: learning disabilities, speech impairments, autism, emotional disturbances, and physical disabilities. The goal is to give these students access to the curriculum and the support they need to learn.

Services vary by need. A student with dyslexia might get extra reading time. A student with autism might work with a speech therapist. A student in a wheelchair might need accessible facilities and modified physical education. Some students spend most of the day in general classrooms. Others need separate settings for part or all of the day.

The field has shifted toward inclusion. Laws in many countries require students with disabilities to be educated alongside peers whenever possible. That shift is not complete. Funding, training, and attitudes still lag in many places.

Common services

• Individualized Education Programs
• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Behavioral support
• Assistive technology