Definition of Intellectual Disabilities:

impaired intellectual functioning, limited adapted behavior, need for supports, and initial occurrence before age 18

- American Association of Mental Retardation (AAMR, or AAIDD)

Historical Overview

eugenics: worldwide movement of over 100 years ago that sought to protect society form false threats of people who are different

Richard Dugdale, 1877—member of the New York Prison Association made a story about the Juke family to show that people with cognitive disabilities were dangerous

normalization: making available ordinary patterns of life and conditions of everyday living

dignity of risk: principle that taking ordinary risks and chances is part of the human experience; people with intellectual disabilities should experience life’s challenges and adventures but not overprotected

Challenges That Intellectual Disabilities Present

their disability makes learning more difficult than is for typical learners, but they also face bias and prejudice

EXAMPLE Who Should Survive (1971) movie showed how a Down syndrome infant was allowed death because a surgery was withheld, leaving a 15-day old baby to die of starvation

Best Buddies Program

program that pairs college students with people with intellectual disabilities to build relationships, friendships, and opportunities for supports

launched by Anthony Shriver who saw a need to create opportunities for students without disabilities (middle school to college) to create friendships and supports for others faced with cognitive challenges

3 major components to describe intellectual disabilities:

1. Intellectual Functioning

2. Adaptive Behavior

3. System of Supports

Intellectual Functioning

level of cognitive ability determined by clinical judgment or by a score on a standardized test of intelligence (mild, moderate, severe, and profound intellectual disabilities )

Adaptive Behavior

performance of everyday life skills expected of adults (conceptual, social, and practical skills)

System of Supports

network of supports everyone develops to function optimally in life

4 types of supports: (1)natural (2)nonpaid (3)generic (4)specialized

Teaching Students with Disabilities

Mild cognitive problems

Many students receive modifications- assignments or tests are reduced or altered, while participating in the general education class

Many people with intellectual disabilities do not make choices throughout their life, so they do not have the same self-determination factor as their peers

Teaching Students with Disabilities (continued)

Self-determination will help students later in life, get a job ex

There are many ways to foster self-determination in a student

Ex. have student involved in own IEP

E-buddies, a way to empower self-determination! Also a way for students to become more aware with the computer!

TransitionPrepared for adulthood= success

Time throughout the school years are devoted to transition skills

“Functional curriculum-skills used in daily life before and after gradation”

This curriculum focuses on life skills, such as telling time, something that will help students of special education operate daily on their own after graduation

Transition (continued)Quality of life should be high!

Students with intellectual disabilities need to be able to work! This creates high self-esteem

Many programs such as vocational rehabilitation, and supported employment, and a job coach! Available!

Friendships need to be addressed in special education!

Many people with intellectual disabilities are now living in-group homes! The optimal number for group homes is “6”

Collaboration

Special education teachers=advocate

It is extremely important for students of special education to get involved in the community

Adapted physical education helps involve students in community, so does recreational therapists

Partnership with Families and Communities

Siblings play a large role in the development of people with intellectual disabilities

Do not assume that it is a bad thing for a person with a disability to have a sibling

Research has shown that people with a person with a disability wants more advice on how to work as a family.