Intellectual Disabilities: Mild Moderate and Severe
Camille Osness and Ariel Allred
What is intellectual disability?
Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which covers many every day social and practical skills.
This disability originates before the age of 18.
What are unique characteristics of students with an intellectual disability?Consistent limitations in:
Conceptual SkillsSocial SkillsPractical Skills
Difficulty in intellectual tasksDifficulty paying attentionStruggle with memory (short and long term)Difficulty with generalization
Parent’s PerspectiveDianne Hirning
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
The American with Disabilities Act
Resources that will help differentiate for the specific disabilityStaff/
specialistsMaterialsComfortable
environment
Teacher Perspective
Clear communication
DocumentationMonitor progressIEPs
Warm/strictBe an advocate
differentiation
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Research says…
Recognize you can make an enormous difference!
Be active on the IEP team
Provide accommodations and supports
Scheduling, setting, materials, instruction, student
response
Be as concrete as possible
Go step by step
Give immediate feedback
Help the student learn life skills
Address social aspects at school
Communicate with parents