Class 3: Intellectual Disability Flashcards
There is a single cause of ID (T/F) Why?
F, results from complex interaction of biological, social , environmental factors
Causes of ID
15-20% premature birth
Genetic abnormalities
Prenatal exposure to infections, toxins, trauma
Poverty
Four Categories of Risk for ID
- Biomedical (e.g. genetic disorders; prematurity; malnutrition; seizure disorders)
- Social (e.g. poor prenatal care; lack of stimulation; family poverty)
- Behavioral (e.g. maternal substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence)
- Educational (e.g. lack of early intervention services, inadequate family support; inadequate situation
Four severity specifiers of ID
Mild, Moderate, Severe, Profound
Mild ID characteristics
- Large majority of cases
- Expected to succeed relatively within standard curriculum but will remain below typically developing peers
- Can participate in vocational training, succeed in competitive employment and live independently or with supports
Moderate ID characteristics
- Second most common
- Curriculum focused on life skills and functional academics
- Proper vocational training and community support, may be able to function in competitive or competitive employment situations, most will need lifelong support
ID - Severe
- Exhibit one or more organic causes
- Need special assistance
- Most live with families or in group homes/work in sheltered workshops
Profound ID Characteristics
- Smallest percentage
- Most severe level of intellectual and adaptive impairment
- Intensive training for basic skills
-Require lifelong support
Should level of severity of ID be defined on basis of adaptive functioning or IQ scores, why?
Adaptive functioning, bc it determines level of support needed and IQ measures are invalid in lower end of IQ range
Factors affecting cognitive assessment
Flynn effect: outdated test norms, brief IQ tests associated with less valid scores and standard error of measurmentment
2 domains of interest in assessment of ID besides intelligence
Academic achievement and comorbid emotional/behavioral problems
General approach to mental health assessment
Understand referral question (operationalize)
Use multiple sources
Use disorder specific knowledge
Use appropriate assessment strategies
Collaborate with other professionals
Educational interventions for ID
- School based educational services and supports
- Special education services, or inclusion in general education classrooms (must consider least restrictive environment, particularly medical needs)
Most effective intervention for all levels of ID
Behavioral intervention
Essential elements of assessing and treating ID
- Family-centered - support family and child!
- Integration of supports into natural environment
- Consider individual needs
- Emphasize teaching functional skill
