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Itard and the Wild Boy of Aveyron
A boy, later named Victor, was found in the woods near Aveyron, France. Itard became the teacher of Victor and began testing interventions to try to enrich his environment and identify and bridge the gaps of his deficits. -
Laura Bridgman
In 1837, Laura Bridgman is tutored by Howe at the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Howe taught Laura to communicate using raised print and eventually fingerspelling. This technique was taught to Anne Sullivan, a student at Perkins, who later went on to teach it to Helen Keller. See More Here -
The First School for Children with Disabilities in the World
In 1839, Edward Seguin established the first school for children with intellectual disabilities in France. In this school, Seguin's interventions focused on sensory stimulation. This included visual, auditory, and physical stimulation for his students. -
First public and private schools for children with disabilities
In 1948 the first public and private schools were established for children with disabilities. The first public school was a converted wing of the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts and established by Samuel Gridley Howe. The first private school was established in the home of Hervey B. Wilbur in Barre, Massachusetts. These two schools were only 59 miles from each other. -
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Ungraded Classes Emerge
Ungraded classes were created for students who were unable to show master of curriculum. These students may have had behavior issues, attendance problems, and/or an intellectual disability. These classrooms began popping up all across the united States. -
The Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale
In France in 1905, Alfre Binet and Theodore Simon created an inventory test to measure a student's intelligence. This would help identify if they were in need of academic assistance. This test was called the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale. -
Henry Herbert Goddard
Henry Herbert Goddard was hired at the New Jersey Training School for Feeble-Minded Boys and Girls as the director of the psychological lab. While there, he coined the term "moron" for labeling certain people who had intellectual disabilities and also introduced the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale to psychologists in America. Read More Here -
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children
Elizabeth Farrell, former Inspector of Ungraded Classes for New York Public Schools, and her students at Columbia University created the International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children. Read More Here -
Parents Get Involved
Parents of children with disabilities became more involved and upset with the education of their children. This began in the 30s and continued the 50s. Parents formed groups advocating for their children's rights to education. in 1950, 23 parent groups met in Minneapolis, MN and created the National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children (The Arc of the United States). Read More Here -
Public Law passed
In 1958, PL 85-926 was passed. This law provided support for specialized special education training at the university level. This law also gave support to people with disabilities and their families provided by the government. -
JFK and Special Education
In 1960, John F. Kennedy established the President's Panel on Mental Retardation. In 1962, this panel gave a report, "A Proposed Program for National Action to Combat Mental Retardation", which formed much if the laws and regulations that still support people with disabilities and their families today. -
FAPE
In 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 introduces Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. This means schools must meet individual needs for all students. Read More here -
Education for All
In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed. This was signed and passed by President Gerald Ford. -
IDEA
In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1975 (IDEA) was updated and established that students with disabilities would be educated with their nondisabled peers. This would be by determined by their keeping their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in mind.