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