Learning and Intellectual Disabilities in the Classroom

1. Blue Mountain School District Learning and Intellectual Disabilities in the Classroom

2. I.D.E.A. Definition of Intellectual Disabilities Significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

3. Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities • Deficits in basic skills such as: • Self-help skills • Adaptive skills • Social skills • Communication skills • Deficit in acquisition and generalization of skills • Learning or memory issues • Low academic achievement • Difficulty with complex and abstract tasks • Difficulty initiating or maintaining interactions • Slower rates of learning • May have multiple disabilities such as intellectual disability and a physical disability

4. Ways to Differentiate the Instruction of Students with Intellectual Disabilities • Give assignments that are at student’s ability level • Lessons and assignments should be life skills based (i.e. shopping, banking and time) • If student has an aide, be sure to spend time planning with the aide • Plan with the student’s resource teacher on how to reinforce the student’s basic skill development • Teach and have assignments in small steps or segments • Provide extend time for assignments • Utilize peer support and tutoring • Use group work to help teach social skills

5. I.D.E.A. Definition of Learning Disabilities • A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; of intellectual disability; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

6. Characteristics of Learning Disabilities • Deficits with processing of auditory or visual information • Low performance or unexpected difficulty in one or more academic areas • Poor learning strategies • Accompanying issues: • Deficits in social skills • Hyperactivity • Attention problems • Behavior problems • Impulsive • Difficulty in math, reading and/or writing • Slow to remember new facts and skills • Difficulty understanding and following directions • Difficulty allocating time and organizing work

7. Ways to Differentiate the Instruction of Students with Intellectual Disabilities • Extended time for exams and assignments, provided they show progress • Ensure all oral directions are also in written form • Allow exams and assignments to be read to student • Allow student to keep a set of books at home • Alternative testing site to help eliminate distractions • Individual help with personalized organization skills • Minimize distractions in the classroom • Preferential seating based on the student’s needs • Provide study aides

8. Discuss the Difference between a student with an Intellectual Disability and a Student with a Learning Disability Areas of Discussion: • Primary Characteristics • Potential • Achievement

9. Intellectual Disability and Learning Disability Final Thoughts Intellectual disability is about a limit to the level of what a person can learn, where as a learning disability is about difficulties in how a person learns.