Cognitive Disability Cognitive Disability Elyse Myers Katherine Roush Emily Hamilton James McLendon Ramone Conley

What is a Cognitive Disability? ● Cognitive disabilities are a broad range of mental disorders and conditions. ● Commonly referred to as mental retardation, but the politically correct term is cognitive disability. ● People suffering from severe cognitive disabilities may need assistance with carrying out aspects of daily living, while people with mild cognitive disabilities may be able to function adequately and go on with their lives never knowing or being diagnosed.

Types of Cognitive Disabilities ● Cognitive Disabilities can be put into 2 categories: clinical cognitive disabilities and functional cognitive disabilities ● Clinical cognitive disabilities are found to have a medical link to their cause. Types of clinical cognitive disabilities include dyslexia, dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), brain injury caused by stroke, tumors or meningitis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), down syndrome, autism, and dementia ● Functional cognitive disabilities focus on the challenges and abilities that occur rather than the medical diagnosis. These may involve difficulties or deficits involving problem solving, attention, memory, math comprehension, visual comprehension, and verbal, reading or linguistic comprehension.

Classroom Rules ● General Rules for Number of Students to Aids/Teachers ● Severe Cognitive Impairment – 1 teacher/2 aides per 12 students. (Once the 13th student is added, another aide must be provided.) ● Moderate Cognitive Impairment – 1 teacher/1 aide per 15 students. (Or 1 teacher/3 aides for 30 students) ● Mild Cognitive Impairment – 1 teacher and if there are more than 12 students, an aide must be added

Classroom Modifications ● Always present information in a clear precise manner ● Repeat information in different ways ● Avoid clichés and jargons ● Break activities into small steps ● Always adapt to the specific disability that the student has

Modifications for Providing Concentrations and Staying Organized Providing Concentrations ● Reduce distractions ● Provide quiet work spaces ● Allow for sound machines/allow the students to listen to soothing music ● Plan for uninterrupted work time ● Increase natural lighting Staying Organized ● Make daily to-do lists ● Remind students of daily activities through s and hand outs ● Schedule weekly meets with teachers or aides to discuss weekly goals ● Use a timer or other device to help students manage time

Modifications for memory deficits and interactions with staff Memory Deficits ● Allow students to record lectures ● Provide typed notes for students ● Use notebooks or computers to record notes ● Provide written and vocal instructions, checklists, and visual reminders Interactions with staff ● Provide positive enthusiasm at all times ● Write clear expectations of the rules down for the students to learn ● Allow for open communication ● Establish written long-term and short-term goals

Modifications for Stress and Emotions and Maintaining Stamina Stress and Emotions ● Refer to student advising or counseling programs ● Provide sensitivity training to the staff ● Allow the student time to manage stress and emotions ● Recognize that change in staff or the school may be stressful for the student Maintaining Stamina ● Have flexible scheduling ● Allow longer or more frequent breaks ● Allow time for counseling ● Provide for group learning experiences ● Have only part-time school schedules

Assistive Technology Intellikeys ● Intellikeys are special keyboards that plug into regular computers through the USB port. ● By presenting a more simplified version of a standard keyboard, they allow students with cognitive disabilities to navigate computers more easily. ● Different keys can be added as necessary to accomodate different courses and student s ● TuffTalker PLUS ● - TuffTalker PLUS is a portable and highly durable device that resembles a computer monitor. ● - Different keys represent different words, phrases, and sounds. This allows students with cognitive disabilities to communicate more efficiently. ● - The TuffTalker also helps students practice reading and comprehension as they use it to communicate

Assistive Technolgy MAPS ● Memory Aid Prompting System ● Uses a PDA format to help students w/cognitive disabilities remember how to perform tasks in and out of the classroom. ● Provides written and verbal prompts when necessary. ● Allows for greater independence in the classroom. Students may find it easier to do tasks w/a great deal of supervision PEAT ● -Planning and Execution Assistant and Trainer ● - Uses artifical intelligence originally designed for use with NASA robots. ● - Similar to MAPS in function. ● - Monitors task performance and completion, and adjusts schedules and assignments as necessary. ● - Can be used with cellular phones and PDA devices

Resources ● Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities: ● -A statewide, nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, and agencies who provide services to them ● WebAim. Web Accessibility in Mind: ● -Provides web based resources for individuals with disabilities. ● NCDAE: The National Center on Disability and Access to Education ● ● -The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) monitors and promotes electronically-mediated distance education policies and practices that enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

Resources ● Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities: ● -Guide to assist Individuals and their families to understand the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Profile ● CHADD.ORG: ● -CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. ● The Family Center on Technology and Disability: