How Do IB Schools in Mississippi Help Students With Disabilities and Illnesses?

IB schools in Mississippi are committed to providing an equal-opportunity learning experience for all children in Mississippi, regardless of disabilities. There are clear laws in place that protect children with disabilities from discrimination. IB schools in Mississippi are required to provide equal opportunity for children with disabilities, including providing accommodation when necessary.

Range of Disabilities

Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the definition of what is considered disabling has been expanded to include medical problems like severe food allergies, asthma conditions, and more. Many children are born with or develop disabilities over time. For example, according to the National Institute On Deafness, approximately two to three children out of every 1,000 suffer from some level of hearing loss. Children can suffer from physical disabilities that require assistive mobility devices, they can suffer from mental illnesses like anxiety, and they may have learning disabilities. A child cannot be rejected because of their disabilities.

Accommodating the Student

IB schools in Mississippi, under the law, must offer accommodation to any deaf child that wants to attend the school. The same is true of children with other disabilities or illnesses. If a child has been identified as learning disabled, the school cannot reject the child’s application to attend based solely on the disability. Accommodations must be put in place to help the child succeed.

Some common accommodations for a child that is learning disabled are to allow longer test times or test alone with a proctor. Special tools may be permitted as accommodation, like tablets or laptops, to take notes. The accommodations are based on professional recommendations. For example, if the child sees an occupational therapist, the therapist can request the school for specific accommodations.

For Children With Physical Illnesses

Accommodations for children with physical illnesses may take the form of special nutrition accommodations. For example, if a child has a severe food allergy, the nutrition staff and teacher will be alerted to ensure that the child is not exposed to the allergen. For children suffering from severe asthma, accommodation may be excused from PT class, or a modified activity plan may be set into motion to ensure the child’s safety while at school.

For children with other physical illnesses, accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis to ensure the child’s well-being. Some children that attend IB schools in Mississippi must miss school because of medical treatments, like IV therapy which is the quickest way to get nutrients and medication into the human body. Those children will be given ample time to make up for their missed work and receive special one-on-one help to stay caught up. IB schools in Mississippi will partner with parents to ensure the safety of the child with physical illnesses during the school day.

For Children With Behavior Problems

Children with diagnosed behavior disorders are also entitled to accommodation. Those accommodations may be as simple as providing a cool-down space for a child with Oppositional Defiance Disorder or providing extra counseling time. The accommodations are made with the child’s specific needs in mind. IB schools in Mississippi can be a great learning environment for everyone.

According to the IB Organization, schools must be authorized by the IB organization to offer the four academic programs the group oversees. There is a primary years program, a middle years program, a diploma program, and a career-related program. There is something for everyone at an IB school in Mississippi.

IB schools in Mississippi have a lot to offer every student. Learn more today about how IB schools in Mississippi could be the ideal setting for your child with disabilities. Call today.