09/04/2026
Special education is defined as specially designed instruction, provided at no cost to parents, intended to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability (Turnbull et al., 2013). It is a customized instructional program that addresses the individual's strengths and challenges and may require the use of specialized materials, equipment, services, and teaching strategies (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2018). Under federal law, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this provision includes a coordinated set of research-based instructional and assessment practices, along with related services like speech or occupational therapy, to promote a student's educational, social, behavioral, and physical development (Bursztyn, 2007).
Special education is fundamentally a purposeful intervention designed to prevent, eliminate, or overcome obstacles that might otherwise hinder a child’s learning and active participation in society (Heward et al., 2017). It is characterized by individually planned, specialized, intensive, and goal-directed instruction (Heward et al., 2017). This intervention is appropriate when a student's unique needs cannot be accommodated within a general education program without additional specialized supports (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2018).
References
Bursztyn, A. M. (Ed.). (2007). The Praeger handbook of special education. Praeger.
Farrell, M. (2008). Educating special children: An introduction to provision for pupils with disabilities and disorders. Routledge.
Gargiulo, R. M., & Bouck, E. C. (2018). Special education in contemporary society: An introduction to exceptionality (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Heward, W. L., Alber-Morgan, S. R., & Konrad, M. (2017). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (11th ed.). Pearson.
Kirk, S., Gallagher, J. J., Coleman, M. R., & Anastasiow, N. (2009). Educating exceptional children (12th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., Wehmeyer, M. L., & Shogren, K. A. (2013). Exceptional lives: Special education in today’s schools (7th ed.). Pearson
18/03/2026
30/05/2025
09/04/2025
01/03/2025