Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice Chapter 12 Learners with Exceptionalities

Scenario “…our philosophy is that every child can learn, and it is our job to find out how to reach each one.” (p. 363) Pleasantville

Learners With Exceptionalities What’s in a Label? “…any individuals whose physical, mental, or behavioral performance is so different from the norm--either higher or lower--that additional services are needed to meet the individuals’ needs.” (p. 365)

Learners With Exceptionalities u Students with Mental Retardation –Intelligence Quotient –Adaptive Functioning –Classifications

True or False Individuals who have an IQ between 55 and 70 are usually able to learn academic skills up to a 6th grade level. -- True (or at least up to a 5th grade level).

Learners With Exceptionalities: Classifications of Mental Retardation Mild50-75 Moderate35-55 Severe20-40 ProfoundBelow 25 Educable55-70 Trainable40-55 CustodialBelow 50

Distribution of Intelligence Scores 34.13% 13.59% 2.14% 0.13% Percentage of Population IQ SD

True or False The sharp increase in cases of learning disabilities in recent years is due to an increase in environmental toxins. False - The increase is due to a broader definition and better diagnostics.

Learners With Exceptionalities u Students with Learning Disabilities –Definition varies widely v Diagnostics have improved in some areas v Definition has become more broad –Characteristics v Unexpected problems in specific academic areas v Motor involvement v Not due to mental retardation

True or False Children who are diagnosed as hyperactive are often given tranquilizers to calm them down. False - They are given stimulant drugs.

True or False Students with attention deficit hyperactive disorder who are treated with Ritalin show consistent gains in academic performance, social adjustment, and self-esteem. False - While it helps some, overall statistics do not show consistent benefits across the board.

Learners With Exceptionalities u Attention Deficit Disorder u Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder –Characteristics –Treatment –Treatment outcomes –Possible causes

True or False Behaviors such as frequent throat clearing, inappropriate touching, and sarcastic comments in class can be caused by a neurological disorder. True - These are characteristics of Tourette's Syndrome.

Learners With Exceptionalities u Tourette’s Syndrome –Characteristics –Treatment –Complicating factors

True or False The most common speech disorder is stuttering. False - But it takes a close second to articulation disorder.

Learners With Exceptionalities u Students with Communication Disorders –Speech Disorders v Articulation v Stuttering v Cluttering –Language Disorders v Expressive Language Disorders v Receptive Language Disorders

Learners With Exceptionalities u Students with Sensory, Physical, and Health Impairments –Vision Loss –Hearing Loss –Cerebral Palsy –Seizure Disorders

True or False Most individuals who are legally blind read large- or regular-print books. True - Most legally blind individuals have some sight.

True or False Cerebral Palsy is a debilitating, progressive disorder. False - It is a motor impairment due to brain damage.

True or False If a child with a history of seizures appears to show a loss of consciousness accompanied by shaking, jerking motions, a teacher should immediately insert a clean tongue depressor in the child’s mouth and call 911 emergency service. False - Never put something in the mouth of someone having a seizure

True or False Under the law, children with disabilities must be placed in the least restrictive educational environment. True - This is the gist of Public Law

Special Education: Legislation Time-Line u 1975Public Law u 1986Public Law u 1990IDEA u 1997IDEA 97 u 2003IDEA H.R. 1350???

Least Restrictive Environment Separate School Separate Class General Education Class Resource Room

True or False Mainstreaming appears to be effective in raising the achievement scores of children with disabilities. True