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REET L1+L2 · Child Development & Pedagogy

Children with Special Needs (CWSN) and Inclusive Education

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This page covers the types of children with special needs, the difference between segregated, integrated and inclusive education, the laws and institutions around disability, and classroom strategies for every kind of learner. REET 2024 carried 5 questions on this topic, and since 'inclusive education' is explicitly named in the syllabus, it's an area that shows up in every shift.

  • 5 questions in REET 2024
  • Teacher-training level
  • 10 min read
Verified 17 September 2026 · Source: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (Dept. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of India)

How REET asks this topic

The 5 questions in REET 2024 tested three kinds of things: (1) facts — how many disabilities the RPwD Act 2016 recognises (21), and which body regulates special-education training programmes (the Rehabilitation Council of India); (2) identification/causes — the common cause of Cerebral Palsy, and the emotional challenge faced by disadvantaged children (inferiority complex); (3) teaching strategy — using visual cues for children with ADHD. So memorise the numbers and institutions, but also understand which teaching approach suits which child.

Who are children with special needs?

Children with Special Needs (CWSN) are children who differ from average children — physically, mentally, emotionally or socially — to an extent that their educational needs cannot be met by the regular classroom set-up alone, and they need extra support, adapted material, or a modified teaching method. Note that 'special need' isn't only about disability — gifted and creative children are also considered children with special needs.

Main categories: (1) Gifted children; (2) Slow learners; (3) Children with learning disabilities — dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), dyscalculia (mathematics); (4) Children with physical disabilities — visual, hearing, speech and motor; (5) Intellectual disability; (6) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder; (7) Disadvantaged/deprived children — those facing economic, social or geographic deprivation, described by the National Education Policy 2020 as Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

The biggest emotional challenge for disadvantaged children is an inferiority complex and negativity, since they repeatedly experience neglect and failure. The common cause of Cerebral Palsy is damage to the developing brain before birth, during birth, or soon after — this affects movement and muscle control.

The three models of education: Segregated, Integrated and Inclusive

BasisSegregatedIntegratedInclusive
Where the child studiesIn a separate special schoolIn a regular schoolIn a regular school, in a regular classroom, alongside everyone else
Who adapts—The child has to adapt to the schoolThe school adapts itself to the child's needs
ApproachTreats disability as a deficit, to be kept apartFocuses on attendance, less on participationTreats every child's difference as natural; rights-based
ExampleA residential school only for visually impaired childrenMost of the time spent in a separate resource room within a regular schoolA ramp, Braille books, sign-language support — everyone in the same classroom

The RPwD Act 2016 defines inclusive education as a system where students with and without disabilities learn together, and teaching-learning is adapted to the needs of different disabilities.[Source 1]

Laws, policies and institutions — at a glance

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016
21 types of disability recognised; the earlier PwD Act, 1995 had only 7[Source 1]
Benchmark disability
At least 40% of a specified disability[Source 1]
Free education (RPwD 2016)
For every child aged 6 to 18 with a benchmark disability[Source 1]
Reservation (RPwD 2016)
At least 5% of seats in government and government-aided higher-education institutions; at least 4% in government vacancies[Source 1]
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
Registered as a society in 1986; became a statutory body from 22 June 1993 under the RCI Act passed by Parliament in September 1992; amended in 2000. Regulates training programmes in rehabilitation and special education, and maintains the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR)[Source 2]
National Trust Act, 1999
For the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 2006
RPwD Act 2016 was enacted to give effect to this convention

The 21 disabilities under the RPwD Act 2016

No.DisabilityNo.Disability
1Blindness12Chronic Neurological Conditions
2Low vision13Specific Learning Disabilities
3Leprosy Cured persons14Multiple Sclerosis
4Hearing Impairment (Deaf and Hard of Hearing)15Speech and Language Disability
5Locomotor Disability16Thalassemia
6Dwarfism17Haemophilia
7Intellectual Disability18Sickle Cell Disease
8Mental Illness19Multiple Disabilities including Deaf-blindness
9Autism Spectrum Disorder20Acid Attack Victim
10Cerebral Palsy21Parkinson's Disease
11Muscular Dystrophy

The three newly added blood disorders (Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease) plus Acid Attack Victim — these four come up often in the options.[Source 1]

Using this in the classroom

Type of childClassroom-appropriate strategy
Visually impairedFront-row seating, Braille material (Louis Braille) and large-print material, tactile models, audio material; also read out anything written on the board.
Hearing impairedSeat them where they can see the teacher's face; don't turn your back to the board while speaking; use pictures, charts, written instructions and sign-language support.
ADHDSmall tasks, clear one-step instructions, plenty of pictures and visual cues, short activity breaks in between; seat them away from distractions.
Slow learnersTeach in small steps, provide repeated practice, use concrete examples, remedial teaching, and immediate positive reinforcement.
GiftedEnrichment — more challenging, exploratory tasks; Acceleration — the chance to move ahead at their own pace; a role in peer tutoring.
Locomotor disability / Cerebral PalsyRamps and accessible seating, assistive devices, extra time for writing or the option of an oral response.
Disadvantaged childrenNon-discriminatory behaviour, praise for small successes, teaching linked to local experience, and information about scholarships and schemes so an inferiority complex doesn't take root.
For every childAn Individualised Education Plan (IEP), collaborative and peer learning, multi-sensory (see-hear-do) teaching, and flexible assessment.

Memory trick / exam tip

Remember the number pairs — '7 to 21' (PwD 1995 → RPwD 2016), '40-6-18' (40% benchmark, free education age 6 to 18) and '5-4' (5% higher education, 4% jobs). For questions about institutions, the rule is: teacher training for special education/rehabilitation = RCI; general teacher training = NCTE; curriculum and research = NCERT.

Questions asked in REET 2024 (solved)

Question 14

What is a key emotional challenge for disadvantaged children ?

  1. Aहीनता ग्रंथि और नकारात्मकता
  2. Bअति-आत्मविश्वास
  3. Cअत्यधिक सक्रियता
  4. Dदूरदर्शिता

Explanation

अलाभान्वित (disadvantaged) बच्चे आर्थिक-सामाजिक अभाव के कारण प्रायः उपेक्षा और असफलता का अनुभव करते हैं, जिससे उनमें हीनता ग्रंथि (inferiority complex) और नकारात्मकता की भावना विकसित हो सकती है। अति-आत्मविश्वास या दूरदर्शिता उनकी भावनात्मक चुनौती नहीं मानी जाती।

Question 21

What teaching method is suggested by students with ADHD to help them learn ?

  1. Aकेवल मौखिक निर्देशों का उपयोग करना
  2. Bलंबे असाइनमेंट देना
  3. Cकिसी भी दृश्य सामग्री के उपयोग से बचना
  4. Dबहुत सारी तस्वीरों और दृश्य संकेतों का उपयोग करना

Explanation

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) वाले छात्रों का ध्यान जल्दी भटकता है, इसलिए चित्रों और दृश्य संकेतों (visual clues) का उपयोग उनका ध्यान बनाए रखने और सीखने में सहायक होता है। केवल मौखिक निर्देश या लंबे असाइनमेंट उनके लिए कठिन होते हैं, अतः छोटे कार्य और दृश्य सामग्री उपयुक्त मानी जाती है।

Question 6

Cources in the area of special education are regulated and controlled by

  1. Aभारतीय पुनर्वास परिषद्
  2. Bभारतीय विशेष शिक्षा परिषद्
  3. Cराष्ट्रीय अध्यापक शिक्षा परिषद्
  4. Dराष्ट्रीय शैक्षिक अनुसंधान एवं प्रशिक्षण परिषद्

Explanation

भारतीय पुनर्वास परिषद् (Rehabilitation Council of India – RCI) एक वैधानिक संस्था है जो पुनर्वास और विशेष शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में प्रशिक्षण पाठ्यक्रमों को नियमित व मानकीकृत करती है तथा पेशेवरों का पंजीकरण रखती है। NCTE सामान्य अध्यापक शिक्षा का नियमन करती है और NCERT पाठ्यचर्या व अनुसंधान का कार्य करती है। 'भारतीय विशेष शिक्षा परिषद्' नाम की कोई ऐसी नियामक संस्था नहीं है।

Question 20

How much types of disabilities included in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 ?

  1. A12
  2. B10
  3. C16
  4. D21

Explanation

दिव्यांगजन अधिकार अधिनियम (RPwD Act), 2016 में 21 प्रकार की दिव्यांगताओं को शामिल किया गया है, जबकि इससे पहले के PwD अधिनियम, 1995 में केवल 7 दिव्यांगताएँ थीं। अतः सही उत्तर 21 है।

Question 27

What is the common cause of cerebral palsy ?

  1. Aजन्म से पहले या जन्म के दौरान मस्तिष्क की क्षति
  2. Bआनुवंशिक विकार
  3. Cखराब पोषण
  4. Dपर्यावरणीय कारक

Explanation

प्रमस्तिष्क पक्षाघात (Cerebral palsy) का सामान्य कारण जन्म से पहले, जन्म के दौरान या तुरंत बाद विकासशील मस्तिष्क को होने वाली क्षति है, जिससे गति और मांसपेशियों का नियंत्रण प्रभावित होता है।

Practice questions

Question 1

How many disabilities were covered under the PwD Act, 1995?

  1. A5
  2. B7
  3. C14
  4. D21

Explanation

The PwD Act, 1995 recognised 7 disabilities. The RPwD Act, 2016 expanded this list to 21.

Question 2

Under the RPwD Act 2016, what minimum percentage of disability defines a 'benchmark disability'?

  1. A20%
  2. B33%
  3. C40%
  4. D50%

Explanation

A person with at least 40% of a specified disability is considered to have a 'benchmark disability' under the RPwD Act, 2016. Benefits like reservation and free education are based on this threshold.

Question 3

Under the RPwD Act 2016, children with benchmark disabilities have the right to free education in which age group?

  1. A6 से 14 वर्ष
  2. B3 से 14 वर्ष
  3. C6 से 18 वर्ष
  4. D5 से 16 वर्ष

Explanation

The RPwD Act gives children with a benchmark disability, aged 6 to 18, the right to free education. The 6-to-14 age range belongs to the general RTE Act, 2009.

Question 4

Which of the following is included among the 21 disabilities of the RPwD Act 2016?

  1. Aमधुमेह
  2. Bथैलेसीमिया
  3. Cउच्च रक्तचाप
  4. Dदमा

Explanation

Thalassemia, Haemophilia and Sickle Cell Disease are the blood-related disabilities included among the RPwD 2016's 21 disabilities. Diabetes, hypertension and asthma are not on this list.

Question 5

The system in which the school changes its teaching methods, materials and environment to suit every child's needs is called:

  1. Aपृथक्कृत शिक्षा
  2. Bएकीकृत शिक्षा
  3. Cसमावेशी शिक्षा
  4. Dविशिष्ट शिक्षा

Explanation

In inclusive education, the school itself changes its teaching methods, material and environment to suit every child's needs. In integrated education, the child has to adapt to the school, and in segregated education, children with disabilities study in separate schools altogether.

Question 6

From which year did the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) become a statutory body?

  1. A1986
  2. B1993
  3. C1999
  4. D2016

Explanation

RCI was formed as a registered society in 1986 and became a statutory body from 22 June 1993 under the RCI Act, 1992. 1999 is the year of the National Trust Act and 2016 is the year of the RPwD Act.

Question 7

A gifted child finishes classwork very quickly. What should the teacher do?

  1. Aउसी कार्य को दोबारा करवाना
  2. Bउसे खोजपूर्ण और चुनौतीपूर्ण संवर्धन कार्य देना
  3. Cउसे चुपचाप बैठने को कहना
  4. Dउसे कक्षा से बाहर खेलने भेज देना

Explanation

Enrichment programmes are the right response for gifted children — they let the child use their full potential and stay engaged instead of getting bored. Repeating the same task or making them sit idle reduces their interest.

Question 8

In a class with a hearing-impaired child, which teacher behaviour is most inappropriate?

  1. Aबोर्ड की ओर मुँह करके बोलते हुए समझाना
  2. Bचित्र और चार्ट का उपयोग करना
  3. Cनिर्देश लिखकर भी देना
  4. Dबच्चे को सामने की ओर बैठाना

Explanation

A hearing-impaired child relies on reading the teacher's lips and facial expressions, so speaking while facing the board is the most inappropriate behaviour here. The other three options are all supportive practices.

Question 9

The National Trust Act, 1999 relates to the welfare of persons with:

  1. Aकेवल दृष्टिबाधिता
  2. Bस्वलीनता, प्रमस्तिष्क पक्षाघात, बौद्धिक दिव्यांगता और बहु-दिव्यांगता
  3. Cकेवल गामक दिव्यांगता
  4. Dकेवल अधिगम अक्षमता

Explanation

The National Trust Act, 1999 concerns the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities. The other options wrongly restrict its scope to a single disability.

Question 10

A slow learner in Class 3 repeatedly falls behind in the concept of multiplication. Which strategy is most suitable?

  1. Aउसे अगली कक्षा के कठिन प्रश्न देना
  2. Bठोस वस्तुओं से छोटे चरणों में दोबारा सिखाना और अभ्यास करवाना
  3. Cउसे कमज़ोर बच्चों के अलग समूह में स्थायी रूप से बैठा देना
  4. Dउसकी तुलना होशियार बच्चों से करके प्रेरित करना

Explanation

Remedial teaching for a slow learner — concrete objects, small steps and repeated practice — is the most effective strategy. Permanent segregation and comparing the child to brighter classmates only deepen the sense of inferiority.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions come from children with special needs in REET?+

The number isn't fixed, but combining REET 2024's shifts, this topic carried 5 questions. Add related topics like learning disabilities and adjustment, and this segment becomes even bigger.

What's the difference between inclusive and integrated education?+

In integrated education, a child with a disability attends a regular school but has to adapt to it; in inclusive education, the school itself changes its teaching methods, material and environment to suit every child's needs.

How many disabilities does the RPwD Act 2016 recognise?+

21 types of disability. The earlier PwD Act, 1995 covered only 7 disabilities.

Which body regulates the training of special-education teachers?+

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory body under the RCI Act, 1992, which maintains the Central Rehabilitation Register of rehabilitation and special-education professionals.

How should you teach a child with ADHD?+

Give small tasks and clear instructions, use plenty of pictures and visual cues, build in short breaks, and reinforce good behaviour immediately. Avoid relying only on verbal instructions and long assignments.

Read next

Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia and more)

Previous topic: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia

Adjustment and Mental Health

Next topic: adjustment, defence mechanisms and mental health

REET Syllabus

The complete official syllabus for CDP and every subject

REET 2024 Solved Paper

Questions, official answers and explanations from every shift

Official Sources

  1. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (Dept. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of India)
  2. Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 (India Code)
  3. National Education Policy 2020 (Ministry of Education)

Change Log

  • 17 September 2026 — English pilot page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked