Special education, within the realm of psychology, is a specialized field that focuses on providing tailored educational services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities or special needs. It involves the individualized planning and systematic monitoring of teaching procedures, adapted equipment, materials, and accessible settings to support students in achieving a higher level of personal self-sufficiency. Special education aims to accommodate a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and more.
Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in identifying and understanding the needs of exceptional learners. Through comprehensive assessments, psychologists can evaluate cognitive abilities, academic skills, social-emotional functioning, and adaptive behavior. These assessments inform the development of individualized education plans (IEPs) that outline specific goals and interventions for each student.