L2 - Intellectual Disability

Question 1

What is Intelligence?

Answer 1

Refers to a general mental capacity.

Involves ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience.

Question 2

Define Intellectual Disability

Answer 2

ID is a particular state of functioning that begins in childhood and is characterised by limitation in both intelligence and adaptive skills.
Typically an IQ Score of 70 or below, which is 2 or more standard deviations below the mean IQ score.

Question 3

Adaptive Behaviour Skills

Answer 3

These are skills that people have learnt in order to function in their everyday lives. E.g.:

Conceptual skills - money concepts, self directions

Social skills - self esteem, rule following, conversation initiation

Practical skills - Eating, dressing, toileting, taking medication

Question 4

Implications

Answer 4

The majority of students with an ID look like students without an ID and are mildly affected in their daily lives.

Students with an ID learn - just more slowly than others without an ID.

Question 5

Strategies

Answer 5

• Behavioural Approach (Skinner)
• Cognitive Approach
• General Strategies

Question 6

Behaviour Strategies

Answer 6

1. Task Analysis
2. Data-based Instruction (collect data on behaviour)
3. Contingency-Shaped Learning
4. Mastery Learning (1 skill is mastered before moving on to the next. Skills are learnt progressively and many opportunities to practice learnt material)
5. Direct Instruction (Very explicit, scripted commercial lessons. Can be used with all ability levels).
6. Explicit Instruction (Systematic, direct, clear)

Question 7

Cognitive Strategies

Answer 7

1. Self-regulated Learning
2. Cooperative Teaching & Learning
3. Tutoring
4. Buddy/Peer Systems
5. Reciprocal Teaching

Question 8

Behaviour Approach (Skinner)

Answer 8

• Assessment of level of competence
• Analysis of task to be completed
• Clear teaching objectives
• Arrange a hierarchy of skills
• Modelling and shaping
• Use of reinforcement and extinction of behaviour
• Ongoing Evaluation

Question 9

Cognitive Approach

Answer 9

• Focuses on strategic behaviour and meta-cognition
• Strategic behaviour refers to how we take in, store, retrieve and manipulate information.
• Meta-cognition refers to what we know about our own learning, memory and problem-solving methods

Question 10

General Strategies

Answer 10

• Provide real, concrete based activities at all times
• Provide visual cues to prompt to next step in a task
• Use additional helpers where possible (parents, volunteers) and involve the parents and other professionals in planning.
• Have high but reasonable expectations