Students with Mental Retardation/ Intellectual Disabilities Chapter 5

What is the History of Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disabilities? Early History Rejection and isolation 20th Century Hospitals and institutions were provided. Eugenics movement Rise of advocacy organizations and court challenges Passage of IDEA in 1975 Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

Why the Use of Two Terms? Mental Retardation vs. Intellectual Disabilities Negative connotations for MR, but used in IDEA 04 ID is less stigmatizing, but may be a less clear term than MR Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What is the IDEA 04 Definition? Mental retardation is “significantly sub- average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.” IQ below 70 Deficits in adaptive behaviors Present before age 18 Adversely affects educational performance Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

How Are Students Classified? Alabama has only one classification to prevent the label from limiting expectations Severity (Used in schools since the 1980s and based on IQ) Mild = 50 to 70, Moderate = 35 to 50 Severe = 20 to 35, Profound = Below 20 Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What is the Prevalence of Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disabilities? 1% of students in school are classified as having mental retardation. Overrepresentation of some minority groups – greater likelihood of identification as having mental retardation among African Americans. 56% males (aged 6-17) Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What are the Causes of Intellectual Disabilities? Genetic and Chromosomal – Examples include: Tuberous Sclerosis, Neurofibromatosis, PKU, Galactosemia, Hurler Syndrome, Tay Sachs, Hunter Syndrome, Lesch-Nyan Syndrome, Fragile X, Rett Syndrome, Down Syndrome Environmental – Examples include: Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Radiation, Malnutrition, Maternal Age, Maternal Health, Drug and Substance Abuse, Blood Type Incompatibility Psychosocial Factors – Examples include: Poverty, Malnutrition, Inadequate Health Care May contribute to mental retardation rather than be a direct cause Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

Can Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disabilities Be Prevented? Medical Technology and Testing Magnetic imaging and computer tomography Amniocentensis and Chorion villus sampling Good Prenatal Care and Early Intervention Services Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What are Possible Characteristics of Students with Intellectual Disabilities? Difficulties learning Deficits in social-personal skills Deficits in adaptive behavior skills Attention difficulties Memory deficits Difficulty transferring and generalizing skills Speech and Language delays Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

How are Students with Mental Retardation Identified? Intelligence Testing (IQ below 70) Adaptive Skills Assessments (deficits in adaptive skills) Academic Skills Assessments (adversely affects educational performance) Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What Do I Teach Students with Intellectual Disabilities? Person-centered planning Basic academic skills Functional curriculum Functional academics, independent life skills, self- determination, self-advocacy Community-based instruction Transition planning Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

How Do I Teach Students with Intellectual Disabilities? Direct instruction with clear objectives, advance organizers, “think-aloud” model, guided practice, independent practice, post-organizers Focus on task analysis Focus on sequencing tasks for recognition, recall, reconstruction Focus on presentation and practice, including use of prompts Generalization Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What Are Considerations for the Instructional Environment? Create a flexible classroom arrangement Use natural environments Location of materials Provide quiet areas Provide areas for play and communication Carrels, tables, desks Job skills areas Groupings Cooperative learning Peer tutoring Whole group Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What Types of Instructional Technology Can be Used? Technology that removes barriers Talking calculators Voice recognition software Technology that adapts the curriculum Use of computers to supplement instruction Best Buddies International (e-Buddies) User-friendly materials Alternative forms of communication Consider the diverse backgrounds and family needs Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

What are Some Considerations for the General Education Teacher? Have high expectations for success Make accommodations and adapations as needed Consider cascade of integration options Plan and explicitly teach skills Encourage self-determination Utilize inclusive service-learning Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students

This Week Quiz for Chapter 5 Discussion Board 5 Incredible Edible Lesson Plan. Turn your idea into lesson plan. Taylor/Smiley/Richards, Exceptional Students