Use of Speech in Educational Settings

Nicolas is in the playroom, building one Lego structure after another. Lost in a kind of inner solitude, he doesn't seem to be paying attention to his surroundings (the other children and their space). A staff member then points this out to him. Since he shows no reaction, he is sent to the office for a time-out. Nicolas gets upset and says he is aware that he is not alone. As his agitation grows, the staff are forced to physically restrain him. He eventually breaks down crying, shouting, "I'm all alone! That's my problem!" Speech is what primarily allows humans to express themselves and communicate. Through interaction with others, speech is also one of the tools that enables them to develop as individuals. But while speech is common to all humans, each individual seems to give a different meaning to the words they use, based on their unique and personal experiences. To address the needs of the person they support, special education teachers must take into account the person's background and life experiences, which shape their current attitudes and behaviors.