Distance learning poses challenges to children with special needs – experts

  • Date: 14-Feb-2021
  • Source: Zawya
  • Sector:Education
  • Country:Jordan
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Distance learning poses challenges to children with special needs – experts

AMMAN — The shift to distance learning due to the spread of COVID-19 has a toll on learners diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and hyperactivity, according to experts.“Autistic learners are either hypersensitive or hyposensitive. Being hypersensitive means that one cannot tolerate screen light or computer sounds. On the other hand, hyposensitive means that the learner is not very responsive to the teacher calling on him or her from the other end of the screen,” Itidal Agha, an expert in raising awareness of special needs children, told The Jordan Times.According to Agha, autistic learners require a complete and safe environment in order to learn. This environment can only be provided in schools since they are fully equipped with sensory materials that teachers can use to enhance the learning experience.Hanan Al Awaisheh, a mother of an 11-year-old learner diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, said that her son is very sensitive to loud voices. This issue was resolved in school by her son adapting to the noise in his classroom. However, online learning exacerbated the issue.Reem Qunbaz, a mother of a nine-year-old autistic learner, said: “My daughter no longer wants to finish her school work. The routine that she