Low-Incidence Disabilities
Low-Incidence Disabilities
Course Question
What are the characteristics and educational implications of students with low incidence disabilities?
Study Guide
Complete this study guide to help you focus on the most important aspects of the readings.
Low Incidence Study Guide.docx Download Low Incidence Study Guide.docx
MEET ISABEL
You will be working with a student named Isabel during this course. Read her case study to learn more about her. Pay attention to her interests, strengths, and weaknesses. You will use this case study for future assignments. When you are finished, complete the readings below to learn more about her disability.
Case Study: Isabel Download Isabel
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Isabel has an intellectual disability. When a student has an intellectual disability, they have limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. The following article provides a detailed look at what it means to have an intellectual disability.
Article: Intellectual Disability Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- When the intellectual disability presents physical characteristics, such as in the case of Down syndrome, the disability could be diagnosed at or before birth. In other cases, intellectual disabilities are diagnosed in infants and toddlers. What are the signs that a child might have an intellectual disability?
- How are students identified as having an intellectual disability? What is IQ a measure of?
- What are some causes of intellectual disabilities?
- What accommodations and teacher supports work best for a student with an intellectual disability?
MEET SHAWN
Shawn is a student you will be learning about and working with during the course. Read his case study to learn more about his background. Pay attention to his interests, strengths, and weaknesses. You will refer to this case study for future assignments. When you are finished reading the case study, complete the reading below to gain a better understanding of his disability.
Case Study: Shawn Download Shawn
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
Shawn has autism, which is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a student's ability to communicate and interact with others. This article provides a detailed look of what it means to have ASD.
Article: Autism Spectrum Disorder Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- Autism is a spectrum disorder which means that the characteristics of autism can range from mild to severe and can be different in each person with ASD. What are the common characteristics that can be on the spectrum?
- What are the names of the specific disabilities under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- What characteristics must be present to have an ASD diagnosis?
- What do we know about the cause of ASD? Are vaccinations known to be a cause?
- What accommodations and supports work best with a student for an ASD?
INTERACTING WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
The following video was produced to document the challenges that people with disabilities and their families experience as members of a religious community. However, you can apply the principles in this video to a classroom setting. As a teacher, you will encounter students with disabilities, and it will be important for you to develop good communication with the parents and understand how to appropriately interact with the student in your classroom.
What to look for:
- What are some common needs of family members of people with disabilities? How can you apply this knowledge as you interact with parents of students with disabilities?
- What are some of the frustrations family members share?
- What are some suggestions for people who interact with the families as well as the individual with the disability? How can you apply those suggestions in a classroom setting?
Special Challenges Links to an external site. from McKay School of Education Links to an external site. on Vimeo Links to an external site..
OPTIONAL READINGS
- Visual Impairment Links to an external site.
- Traumatic Brain Injury Links to an external site.
- Multiple Disabilities Links to an external site.
- Hearing Loss Links to an external site.
- Developmental Delay Links to an external site.
- Orthopedic Impairment Links to an external site.
ASSIGNMENTS
- Complete the closed book, closed note quiz for the readings.
- Teach a lesson on one of the disabilities you have learned about.