Understanding Special EducationIntroductionEducation is the birthright of every child. Special education involves the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual disabilities and needs. These programs are designed so that special students can learn skills that will help them come closer in learning to children without disabilities. The field of special education has shifted from a protection and care perspective to an emphasis on learning and growth. The question is not whether students can learn, but how much they can learn and what kind of support and instruction are needed to achieve that goal. While early intervention is a recommended practice, learning can occur at any age. The primary purpose of special education is to prepare students for progressive learning and lifelong personal development. Definition of Disability Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines a “child with a disability” as a “child…with an intellectual disability, hearing impairment (including deafness), vision impairment (including blindness), speech or language disorders, severe emotional disorders, orthopedic disorders, autism, any other health disorder leading to specific learning difficulties; AND, who… [because of the condition] requires special education and related services.” Categories of children with special educational needs Children with special needs are generally divided into five categories. • Mental disability/Intellectual disability. • Hearing problems. .• Visual impairment.• Learning disabilities.• Multiple disabilities.These categories can be further divided into many subcategories.Special Education ProcessIdentification...... half of the document......ce. The tasks required should be within the child's reach and at the same time should contain elements that require effort and stimulate thinking. The learning pace of children with special needs is often very slow. The selected goal must be broken down into many small goals and carefully recorded in the IEP. Frequent successful experiences maintain the child's motivation in the learning activity. In view of this, the importance of a detailed and accurate assessment at the beginning of the special education process cannot be underestimated. The success of the entire system depends on this document. Conclusion The special education system aims to maximize the learning skills of students with special needs; with the ultimate goal of enabling these students to become independent, self-sufficient, useful and effective members of society.