3 Suggestions For Setting Up a Special Education Classroom

Whether you are a brand new teacher or have worked in the field for 25 years, here are some suggestions for setting up a classroom for children with special needs.

Suggestion #1: Find out as much as you can about your students.

Sometimes new teachers go in and start setting up their classrooms without first learning anything about their students. This is a mistake, especially if your students have special needs. For instance, I had a student this year who had pica, meaning she ate a number of inedibles such as glue sticks, chalk, pencil erasers, and more. Because I knew that, I knew to keep these items locked up instead of putting them out on display the first day.

Read through cumulative records. Review IEPs and Multi-factored evaluations. Call parents or even do home visits if permissible and advisable.

Suggestion #2: Take inventory of what you have and draw out a classroom diagram.

Make a list of what you have and what you need. Make sure you have enough desks, chairs, and tables for your students. If you are going to use tables and chairs, I suggest you try to get chairs for each of these places, so you will need twice as many chairs as students.

Draw a rectangle. Add doors, windows, bulletin boards and other "static" items. Then add the basic areas. You may add independent work areas such as centers if you wish. Most classrooms for children with special needs have a computer area, a quiet area such as a reading corner and an area fone on one with students. A small group area is important also.

Suggestion #3: Don't get fancy. You don't have enough time. Set up a basic classroom.

A basic classroom for children with special needs generally includes:

A Circle time/large group area with a large carpet which will include the following: Calendar, daily sign-in, lunch choices, and a daily schedule

Desks or tables for independent work labeled with student names

Cubbies or other storage areas labeled with children's names

A teacher desk or table with the following: a file for each student, basic desk supplies, a calendar and a notebook for lesson plans/substitute plans and parent contacts.

If you have an assistant its important that you include a working space for them such as a small desk or table. An area to keep their personal supplies, such as coat, umbrella and purse, is also always appreciated.

Put away or cover up all non-essential materials.

Children with special needs, particularly children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, do not do well with a lot of visual stimuli. Classrooms should use muted colors, if possible, minimal overhead lighting, and very little clutter. I'll admit that this is a challenging task for me because I tend to have a lot of classroom materials but it is necessary. If I can't put away items due to lack of storage, I try to put them in plastic storage bins or cover them with flannel-backed tablecloths.

Have a great year!