Extremes of Intelligence

Definitions Intellectual Disability: lower intellectual and behavioral extreme of the population * Giftedness: exceptional mental abilities, upper extreme of the population ~Only 5% of population ~2% of population has IQ over 140 Note: Intellectual Disability is the new term for “Mental Retardation.”

Identifying the Gifted… The Numbers Matter- High IQ Unique Perspective Observes Across Limits Makes Connections Sees Grey Rather than Black and White Insight about Aesthetic Awareness and Arts Mature Sense of Humor Enjoys Language and Words Focused- Can Stick with or Beat an Interest or Issue to Death »Source-Jim Lo Giudice; Bucks County IU

Giftedness—Positive Behaviors Expresses ideas and feelings well Can move at a rapid pace Works conscientiously Wants to learn, explore and seek more information Makes steady progress Develops broad knowledge and an extensive store of vicarious experiences Is sensitive to the feelings and rights of others Makes original contributions to discussions Sees relationships easily

Giftedness—Negative Behaviors Glib, making fluent statements based on little or no knowledge May struggle against rules May be impatient to proceed to the next level May become bored by repetition May use humor to manipulate May dominate discussions May be frustrated by apparent lack of relevance or logic in daily activities Source: Swassing, Raymond. Teaching Gifted Children and Adolescents; 1985.

Levels of Intellectual Disability 1. Mild: IQ Have the potential to learn basic cognitive and vocational skills Function somewhat independently in society Note: IQ is not Intellectual Disability, but rather “borderline” intellectual functioning

Levels of Intellectual Disability 2. Moderate: IQ Typically learn only limited language usage and self-help behaviors Perhaps very simple vocational skills Need a lot of help in daily living

Levels of Intellectual Disability 3. Severe: IQ At this stage, assessment of level is made from behavior instead of IQ test Barest minimum of ability to learn and function Sometimes referred to as “custodial” because they require constant supervision 4. Profound: Below 25 IQ

Criteria for Intellectual Disability Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning (assessed by IQ test <70) Significant impairment of adaptive behaviors (self-help skills) - difficulty functioning in everyday activities Onset prior to age 18 - not due to brain injury or adult disorder

Ex. Down Syndrome Caused by extra genetic material in 21 st chromosome  350,000 people in U.S. currently affected  1 in births  Age of mother plays a roll: Under 25: 1 in 1400 Over 40: 1 in 100

Physical Characteristics Low muscle tone Flat facial profile, a somewhat depressed nasal bridge and a small nose Oblique palpebral fissures, an upward slant to the eyes An abnormal shape of the ear A single deep crease across the center of the palm Hyperflexibility, an excessive ability to extend the joints Dysplastic middle phalanx of the fifth finger, fifth finger has one flexion furrow instead of two Epicanthal folds, small skin folds on the inner corner of the eyes Excessive space between large and second toe Enlargement of tongue in relationship to size of mouth

Cognitive Abilities Causes developmental delays - but physical, speech, and developmental therapies can help  Many students can be in mainstream classrooms