Here's how you can resolve conflicts between teachers and students with special needs.

Conflicts between teachers and students with special needs can arise due to a lack of understanding, inadequate training, or insufficient resources to meet the students' individual needs. As a teacher, I can work to prevent and resolve these conflicts by educating myself on the specific needs of my students, employing inclusive teaching strategies, and fostering open communication with both students and their families. Additionally, seeking support from special education professionals and continuously reflecting on and improving my practices can help create a more supportive and effective learning environment.

Understanding the needs of students with special needs is crucial for resolving conflicts. These students often have individualized education programs that list the accommodations they need to succeed. As a teacher, familiarize yourself with these documents and the students' unique challenges. When conflicts occur, reflect on whether their needs are being met. Often, problems arise from unmet expectations or accommodations not being fully provided. By focusing on the student's needs in any discussion, you can address the main cause of many conflicts.Additionally, communicate regularly with parents and support staff to stay updated on the student's progress and any changes in their needs.

Develop a collaborative plan that addresses the root cause of the conflict. In this case, the team could agree to implement regular short breaks and incorporate more interactive teaching methods. The teacher could also receive training on ADHD to better understand and support the student's needs. Regular follow-up meetings should be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the new strategies and make adjustments as needed.

Teach the teachers and empower them with evidence-based solutions. Teachers don`t know what they don`t know. Science and education don`t intersect at all, which is why many teachers are lost, and so are their students. Accommodations are not a solution either, and IEPs, if not properly implemented, bring more havoc and put the students through the Spec-ed—inequitable life pipeline.

Teachers can seek support from the school SENCO, Teaching Assistants, SLT's & the parents. External agencies - Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and more can all form part of your support network as a teacher. SEND pupils need TLC & so do the teachers who teach them in schools.

What I have learned from my experience as a teacher who also had students with special needs in a regular class, is to admire them continuously for their effort. Unlike others, these students do their best, just to get good feedback and recognition from their teacher. It's crucial to make sure these students are involved and engaged in classroom activities without any drawbacks. For that, the teacher needs to check with them time to time and get their feedback on how well they are co-oping up with the activities. If any improvement or adjustment is needed, the teacher can provide it without delay.

Are workshops really enough for teachers? Can they solve every problem? Maybe, but not always. Let's dive deeper. Professional development is indeed essential for teachers, especially when dealing with students with special needs. Attending workshops and seminars can provide valuable insights and strategies. These sessions offer new perspectives and tools to help teachers handle conflicts more effectively. BUT real-life situations often require spontaneous and creative solutions. One piece of advice I would give is to stay curious and open-minded. Workshops are great, but always seek to learn from your daily experiences and interactions with students. This hands-on learning can be just as valuable, if not more, than any formal training.