UNDERSTANDING STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, MENTAL RETARDATION, AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Chapter 3

Chapter objectives Describe some of the causes of emotional disturbance and the characteristics of students who receive special education services under this eligibility term.

Chapter objectives continued Describe some of the causes of mental retardation and the characteristics of students who receive special education services under this eligibility term.

Chapter objectives continued Describe some of the causes of autism spectrum disorders and the characteristics of students who receive special education services under this eligibility category.

Students with emotional disturbance Causes Biological factors Educational conditions Economic conditions Familial factors Learning factors Psychological factors Societal conditions

Characteristics of emotional disorders Early signs Frequent crying or sulking Actively resisting by physically or verbally defending a position (or possessions) Displaying aggressive revenge Seeking out an adult for comfort

Characteristics of emotional disorders continued School-age children and youth Reading Mathematics Oral language Content areas Behavior

Students with mental retardation Causes Prenatal factors Perinatal conditions Postnatal factors Environmental hazards

Characteristics of mental retardation Early signs Overall developmental delays in one or more of the following areas: Physical Cognitive Communication Social-emotional Adaptive

Characteristics of mental retardation continued School-age children and youth Academic areas Adaptive behavior Emotional disorders Motor coordination Speech and communication Attention and memory

Students with autism spectrum disorders Causes: no single cause Hereditary factors Environmental factors Findings in neuroscience

Characteristics of autism spectrum disorders Early signs Avoidance of eye contact Lack of response to parent’s voice Significant language delay Fixation on a toy Rocking or flapping movements

Characteristics of autism spectrum disorders continued School-age children and youth Social skills Communication

No two students are alike… Each student has unique Skills Knowledge Abilities Gifts— and Needs.

Understanding characteristics of the learner… Helps teachers Build successful teaching and learning experiences—for ALL.