1. Learning and Intellectual Disabilities in the Classroom
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.