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What is an Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child. Children with intellectual disabilities (sometimes called cognitive disabilities or, previously, mental retardation) may take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They are likely to have trouble learning in school. They will learn, but it will take them longer. There may be some things they cannot learn. What Causes an Intellectual Disability? Doctors have found many causes of intellectual disabilities. The most common are:
An intellectual disability is not a disease. You can’t catch an intellectual disability from anyone. It’s also not a type of mental illness, like depression. There is no cure for intellectual disabilities. However, most children with an intellectual disability can learn to do many things. It just takes them more time and effort than other children. How Common are Intellectual Disabilities? Intellectual disability is the most common developmental disability. Approximately 6.5 million people in the United States have an intellectual disability. More than 545,000 children (ages 6-21) have some level of intellectual disability and receive special education services in public school under this category in IDEA, the nation’s special education law. In fact, 1 in every 10 children who need special education have some form of intellectual disability. What are the Signs of Intellectual Disability? There are many signs of an intellectual disability. For example, children with an intellectual disability may:
http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/intellectual Children With Intellectual Disabilities
Pamphlet http://www.cw.bc.ca/library/pdf/ pamphlets/SH16.pdf Intellectual Disbilities http://www.aacps.org/admin/articlefiles/312-Intellectual%20Disability%20Brochure.pdf |
View the following videos for additional information on intellectual disabilities.
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Tips for Teachers
Learn as much as you can about intellectual disability. The organizations listed below will help you identify techniques and strategies to support the student educationally. We’ve also listed some strategies below. Recognize that you can make an enormous difference in this student’s life! Find out what the student’s strengths and interests are, and emphasize them. Create opportunities for success. If you are not part of the student’s IEP team, ask for a copy of his or her IEP. The student’s educational goals will be listed there, as well as the services and classroom accommodations he or she is to receive. Talk to others in your school (e.g., special educators), as necessary. They can help you identify effective methods of teaching this student, ways to adapt the curriculum, and how to address the student’s IEP goals in your classroom. Be as concrete as possible. Demonstrate what you mean rather than giving verbal directions. Rather than just relating new information verbally, show a picture. And rather than just showing a picture, provide the student with hands-on materials and experiences and the opportunity to try things out. Break longer, new tasks into small steps. Demsonstrate the steps. Have the student do the steps, one at a time. Provide assistance, as necessary. Give the student immediate feedback. Teach the student life skills such as daily living, social skills, and occupational awareness and exploration, as appropriate. Involve the student in group activities or clubs. Work together with the student’s parents and other school personnel to create and implement an IEP tailored to meet the student’s needs. Regularly share information about how the student is doing at school and at home. Organizations The Arc of the United States 800.433.5255 | [email protected] | www.thearc.org Find a local chapter near you: http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2437 American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 800.424.3688 | www.aaidd.org/ The AAIDD definition manual contains the world’s most current and authoritative information on intellectual disability, including best practice guidelines on diagnosing and classifying intellectual disability and developing a system of supports for people living with an intellectual disability. Division on Developmental Disabilities (DDD) A division of the Council for Exceptional Children, DD offers many publications and journals for professionals. http://daddcec.org/Home.aspx |