#46-Lockdown & Crisis Drills in Special Needs Classrooms

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Would your loved one with disabilities have the support necessary to stay safe in the event of an on campus crisis? Are you a special educator? Would you have all you need to keep your students safe? 

Combining her background as a special educator and mother to a son with disabilities, Dr. Laura Clarke and her colleague created one of the first and only crisis preparedness models for students with disabilities.

This is an episode you are going to want to share with administrators or anyone responsible for the safety of children with special needs in a crisis situation. 

Mentioned in This Episode

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  • Dr. Laura Clarke and her colleague, Dr. Dusty Columbia Embury (from episode #40) created an educational guide for lockdown and evacuation procedures in special education classrooms.

  • It is a good idea for special education students to have an IELP in their IEP. Dr. Clarke tells us what an IELP is and what should go in it.

  • The two types of crisis drills are lockdown and evacuation.

  • Drills are short but actual events can last hours. This makes preparation for special education students much different as requirements to maintain life and emotional comfort can be complicated.

  • Doing the drill is not enough. Dr. Clarke talks to us about the educational component of explaining and teaching skills needed in a crisis situation.

  • Should drills be required for special education students who may become distressed? Dr. Clarke shares her thoughts.

  • Each student should have a grab and go kit.

Related Episodes

This show is part of a 12 episode safety series. Listen to other topics in the series via your favorite podcast app or directly on the LOMAH website