Exam 2
Intellectual Disabilities (6.7%)
-
IDEA definition- Three criteria of diagnosis
o
Significant subaverage intellectual functioning is a score of two or more standard
deviations below the mean on standardized intelligence tests
o
An individual must also have significant difficulty with tasks of everyday living
or adaptive behavior
o
The deficits must occur during the developmental period to help distinguish
intellectual disabilities from other disabilities
-
AAIDD Definition
o
Intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual
functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and
practical adaptive skills. The disability originates before age 18
o
Five assumptions essential to applying the AAIDD definition
Limitations in present functioning must be considered within the context
of community environments typical of the individual’s age peers and
culture
Valid assessment considers cultural and linguist differences
Within the individual, limitations often coexist with strengths
The purpose of describing limitations is to develop a profile of needed
supports
With appropriate personalized supports over a sustained period, the life
functioning of the person with intellectual disability generally will
improve
o
Supports are defined as “recourses and strategies that aim to promote the
development, education, interests, and personal well-being of a person and that
enhance individual functioning.”
-
Classification of intellectual disabilities
o
Classification by the degree or level of intellectual impairment as measured by IQ
test scares
Mild: 50-55 to 70
Moderate: 35-40 to 50-55
Severe: 20-25 to 35-40
Profound: below 20-25
-
Identification and assessment
o
Standardized IQ tests are used to assess intelligence
Administered by a school psychologist or other trained professionals
WSIC-R
o
Important considerations of IQ tests:
IQ is a hypothetical construct
IQ tests measures only how a child performs at one point in time on the
items included on the test
IQ tests can be culturally biased
IQ scores can change significantly
IQ testing is not an exact science
An IQ scare should not be used to determine IEP objectives
An IQ scare should never be used as the sole basis for making decisions
regarding special education services
-
Assessing adaptive behavior
o
Adaptive behavior is “the collection of conceptual, social, and practical skills that
have been learned by people in order to function in their everyday lives.”
Conceptual
Academics
Money skills
Social
Hold a conversation
Greeting people
Manners
Making people feel comfortable
Social cues
Eye contact
Practical
General hygiene
Cooking
Getting dressed
Health (exercise)
Vocational skills (work)
Transportation
Using money
o
The adaptive skills exhibited by a person with ID are critical factors in
