Chapter 5: Intellectual Disability Flashcards
Intellectual disability
A neurodevelopmental disorder, a group of conditions with onset in the developmental period that produce impairments of social, personal, academic or occupational functioning.
Intellectual disability characteristics:
- Significant limitations in mental abilities
- Impairments in adaptive functioning
3 essential elements defining ID:
- Intellectual/cognitive limitations (planning, reasoning, judgement)
- Deficits in adaptive skills (social skills, practical skills)
- Early onset (before 18 years)
Eugenics
The science which deals with all influences that improve the inborn qualities of a race.
Stanford-Binet scale
Intelligence test to measure judgement and reasoning.
Ask children to manipulate unfamiliar objects (blocks or figures) and to solve puzzles and match familiar parts of objects.
Remains to be used
General intellectual functioning
Defined by an intelligence quotient based on assessment with one or more of the standardised, individually administered intellignece tests.
What do these tests test?
These tests assess various verbal and visual-spatial skills(reasoning, similarities and differences); and mathematical concepts, which together is believed to construct intelligence.
Average IQ score
70-130
Subaverage IQ score
70 or below
Adaptive functioning
How effectively individuals cope with ordinary life demands, and how capable they are of living independently and abiding by community standards.
3 MAJOR CATEGORIES of ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR SKILLS:
a) Conceptual skills – language, reading & writing
b) Social skills – interpersonal. Self-esteem, obeys the laws
c) Practical skills – eating, dressing, using transportation
By what is mental ability determined?
Genetics and experience
Flynn effect
IQ scores have increased substantially.
scientists have considered the rising living standards, better schooling, better nutrition, medical advances etc.
The following 3 criteria must be met for ID
A. Deficits in intellectual functions: such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgement, academic learning, and learning from experience.
B. Deficits in adaptive functioning: that result in failure to meet developmental and sociocultural standards for personal independence and social responsibility.
C. Onset of intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits: during the developmental period.
3 Primary domains for severity levels:
- Conceptual domain
- Social domain
- Practical domain
Four levels of severity of ID
- Mild (least severe)
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound (Most severe)
Elaborate on the severity level “Mild”
- About 85% of persons with ID
- Typically not identified until early primary school years
- Overrepresentation of minority group members
- Develop social and communication skills—delays in
expressive language - Live successfully in the community as adults with
appropriate supports
Elaborate on the severity level “Moderate”
- About 10% of persons with ID
- Usually identified during preschool years
- More notable communication problems (e.g. poor
expressive language abilities) - Challenges with self-care (e.g. personal hygiene etc)
- Applies to many people with Down syndrome
- Benefit from vocational training
- Can perform supervised unskilled or semiskilled work in adulthood
Elaborate on the severity level “Severe”
- About 3-4% of persons with ID
- Often associated with organic causes
- Usually identified at a very young age
- Delays in developmental milestones and visible physical features are seen
- May have mobility or other health problems
- Need special assistance throughout their lives
- Live in group homes or with their families
- Very limited communication abilities and academic skills
- Active care required (at home or in residential facilities).
Elaborate on the severity level “Profound”
- About 1-2% of persons with ID
- Identified in infancy due to marked delays in development and biological anomalies
- Learn only the rudimentary communication skills
- Require intensive training for:
- Eating, grooming, toileting, and dressing behaviours
- Require lifelong care and assistance
- Use of assistive devices to facilitate mobility (e.g. buggy)
Name and explain some support areas
Teaching and eduction activities:
* Learning and using problem-solving strategies
* Using technology for learning
Home living activities:
* Preparing and eating food
* Housekeeping and cleaning
* Dressing
Employment activities:
* Learning and using specific job skills
* Interacting with co- workers
Community activities:
* Visiting friends and family
* Shopping and purchasing goods
Social activities:
* Making and keeping friends
* Engaging in loving and intimate relationships
What does an infant rely on to explore and understand their world?
Relies on sensorimotor function; smell, touch, hear etc.
Down syndrome
Common disorder resulting from chromosome abnormalities.
Developmental-versus-difference controversy
Do all children—regardless of intellectual impairments—progress through the same developmental milestones in a similar sequence, but at different rates?
