ABSTRACT
Down syndrome is the most common form of intellectual disability. However, there is a paucity of educational research focused on this vulnerable segment of learners especially in the present novel situation. This paper aimed to explore how teachers tailor remote special education for children with down syndrome amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. It draws from a phenomenological qualitative study that collected information from online interviews with nine special education teachers handling children with down syndrome. The results revealed five themes: (1) contextualize individual educational plans; (2) meet sensory and movement needs; (3) emotionally connect with children; (4) communicate often with families; and (5) collaborate with community. This study provides practical insight into the enabling practices that teachers use to design the remote special education for children with down syndrome amid the current crisis.
ABSTRACT
This short article describes how Filipino parents home educate their children with autism during the COVID-19 period. Employing a mainly qualitative research approach, five parents who have children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were interviewed online. The data were subjected to thematic analysis. The results highlight the following themes: (1) many are better than one in home education during isolation; (2) from struggles with the transition to cultivation of new activities; (3) new social reality in preparation for the post-pandemic period; (4) all forms of home education are essential; and (5) families encouraging families in these tough times. This paper provides insights as regards the home education of children with autism amid the current global emergency.
