Developmental Disabilities

Mental Retardation- substantial limitations in present functioning, characterized by subaverage intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two or more of the following areas: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work.

The onset is before age 18.

Severe Disabilities- individuals of all ages who require extensive ongoing support in more than one major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and to enjoy a quality of life that is available to people with fewer or no disabilities. Support may be required for life activities such as mobility, communication, self-care, and learning as necessary for independent living, employment and self-sufficiency.

Types of Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities

Autism	Down Syndrome	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Definition: A neurological disorder that affects boys four times as often as girls, whose symptoms are apparent before age three.	Definition: A chromosomal disorder that occurs in about 1 in 700 births.	Definition: Caused by the mother’s drinking during pregnancy. One of the top three known causes of birth defects.
Characteristics: * lack of socialization and interaction *lack of eye contact *engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements *unusual responses to sensory experiences *inflexible adherence to nonfunctional routines *delay or lack of spoken language *repetitive use of idiosyncratic language *range in independent functioning	Characteristics: At birth babies may show a few or many of the following traits: * low muscle tone, a somewhat depressed nasal bridge and a small nose, an upward slant to the eyes, an abnormal shape of the ear, a single deep crease across the center of the palm, an excessive ability to extend the joints, fifth finger has one flexion furrow instead of two, 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 In General: *usually smaller in size *development is somewhat slower *delay in their speech and language development *some degree of mental retardation	Characteristics: *some degree of mental retardation *poor coordination *learning disabilities *psychosocial behavior problems *physical abnormalities *speech and language problems

Key Classroom Accommodation Strategies

· Engage students actively in learning (hands-on instruction, centers, math manipulatives, science projects, art projects, computers)

· Teach the strategy or skill in small steps or segments

· Check frequently for understanding

· Use actual materials and real life experiences or simulations

· Teach students to use self-talk to “talk themselves through” activities

· Have students perform the skill or strategy repeatedly

· Provide many examples to promote generalization

· Use the skill or strategy in several different learning situations to promote generalization

· Increase student’s Sense of Belonging

*give the student the same “things” as the other students

*involve the student in the typical classroom routine

*find ways for the student to participate actively in classroom activities *encourage other students to find ways to increase learning opportunities for classmates with challenges

*promote equality and interactions with other classmates- use word “friend” instead of “peer tutor”, say “go together” instead of “take_____ with you”

· Make environmental accommodations (having a bean bag chair so student can sit on the floor with other students, lifting the legs of a desk so a wheel chair can fit comfortably)

· Use cooperative learning

· Provide Opportunities for functional practice

*Have students read directions, labels, telephone book, catalogs or advertisements, schedules, etc.

*Have students write a letter to a friend, a letter to request or complain, making a shopping list, completing a job or library application, etc.

*Provide functional math activities such as making change, counting money, making a purchase, using a checking account, budgeting money, reading a calculator, calendar, or thermometer, measuring, determining height and weight, etc.