Definition
According to American Association on Intellectual Disabilities, "Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18."
Characteristics
Students with intellectual disabilities vary in degree of need. These children will likely exhibit all or most of these characteristics:
- Significant limitations in adaptive behaviors
- Significant limitations in intellectual functioning
- IQ below 70-75
- The onset of the disability occurs before age 18
- The child may be diagnosed with Down syndrome
Accommodations
Accommodations for students with intellectual disabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Student works one-on-one with the teacher or in a quiet area alone
- Allow stop-the-clock breaks or "wiggle" breaks
- Orally read the assignment or assessment aloud
- Repeat topics constantly and consistently
- Give the child constant praise for hard work and dedication
Modifications
Modifications for students with intellectual disabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Learning content through functional, every day tasks
- Allow the use of manipulatives during assignments and assessments
- Modify readings to individual level, or provide only pictures
- Provide individual student schedules with pictures for each activity
- Modify curriculum to include sensory needs
Resources
- Definition of Intellectual Disability
This resource contains a definition, history, videos, and a diagnostic adaptive behavior scale for teachers and parents who want to learn more about students with intellectual disabilities.
- Intellectual Disability
A resource dedicated to identifying characteristics of children with intellectual disabilities. This website also contains other information about Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and shaken baby syndrome.
- Common Traits of People with Intellectual Disbailities
This three-page document includes common traits of children with intellectual disabilities. It also includes a screening checklist teachers can use to give to parents or the school psychologist.
- Modifications for Students with an Intellectual Disability
This website contains lists of modifications for students with intellectual disabilities and ideas for teachers to use in their classrooms.
- Intellectual Disability
This is a parent resource for those who want to know more about intellectual disabilities, and ways in which they can cater to their child's needs. There is information available in Spanish, for teachers in bilingual populations.