Developmental, Intellectual, and Learning DisabilitiesClick the animals to learn something new!

Leo the Lion will give us information about Developmental disabilities!

A developmental disability is a more substantial disability than the others we will discuss. It is most times severe and long-term. Some of these disabilities can be physical, such as blindness. Some can be mental, such as learning disorders. Some can be both physical and mental, such as Down syndrome. This type of disability is usually a life-long disability. Developmental disabilities should be established by age 22.

Felipe the Frog will talk with us about Intellectual disabilities!

An intellectual disability is considered someone who has significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Intellectual functioning is one’s general mental capacity, including learning, reasoning and problem solving. IQ tests are used to measure this and a score of 70-75 or below qualifies as an intellectual disability. Adaptive behaviors are conceptual, social and practical skills. Standardized tests can also be given here to determine limitations in this behavior.

Penny the Pig will give us more information on intellectual disabilities!

Intellectual disabilities originate before age 18, also known as the development period. In order to better understand this, you can ask yourself: what can he/she do compared to others of the same age? Environment, linguistic diversity and cultural differences are things you need to take into account when thinking about intellectual disabilities. These types of disabilities can improve over time if the correct support is given.

Orville the Owl will give us just a little bit more information on intellectual disabilities!

Only 1%-3% of Americans have an intellectual disability. Some syndromes associated with this type of disability are autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Intellectual disabilities can also be referred to as developmental disabilities.

Freddy the Fish will give us information about Learning Disabilities!

A learning disability is a neurological condition that interferes with the ability to store, process and produce information. It can effect reading, writing, speaking, spelling, computation, reasoning, attention, memory, coordination, social skills and emotional maturity. A good way to explain this in simpler terms is that the message you are receiving from your senses does not make it’s way to your brain. Sometimes it is necessary to teach or “give the message” a different way. A couple specific learning disabilities that I know more about are dyslexia and dyscalculia. Dyslexia interferes with reading and language-based skills. Dyscalculia interferes with the understanding of numbers and learning math facts.

Bella the Bluebird will give you my 3 teaching strategies!

1. For a developmental disability I will create fun ways to teach lessons. I will make them colorful and engaging.

2. For an intellectual disability, like autism, I will do my best to give the student an extra quiet place to work.

3. For a learning disability, like dyslexia, I will provide my student with several ways to study a book. I will have the student read it aloud, listen to it on tape and spend time to read with the student.