Characteristics of Learners with Intellectual Differences An Overview

Same more than different Some people describe the personalities in Myers-Briggs Terms – Introversion-Extroversion – Intuition – Sensing – Thinking – Feeling – Judging - Perceiving

Adaptations to use Accommodations – Changes that enable the student to do the task assigned Glasses Large type Books on tape Adapted pencils Using markers instead of pens or pencils

Adaptations to use Modifications – Changes the task Reducing amount given Teaching alternative tasks (functional curriculum) Taking classes on-line instead on in class? Constructing a diorama instead of writing a book report Taking the bus instead of driving

Learning Capacity Problem solving Cognitive skills – Metacognition – Memory – Attention

Metacognition Ability to identify how one learns Ability to evaluate, monitor, and adapt the learning process Difficulties in this area – Planning – Evaluating – Organizing

Attention Difficulty focusing on a task Difficulty getting started Recognizing cues to start Attention span Maintaining attention Selective attention

Generalization Transferring skills from one situation to another Changes can be difficult

Language development Acquire language at a slower rate Have limited vocabulary Have speech problems Develop inappropriate non verbal skills

Physical development Less physically fit – Smaller – Poor motor skills – More health problems Difficulties of dual diagnoses

Social Personality characteristics are unique to each person Persons with mental retardation may have immature behaviors Persons with mental retardation may exhibit maladaptive behaviors

Motivation Locus of control – External vs internal Expectation of failure Learned helplessness Outer-directedness

Educational Considerations Curriculum – Decisions should be based on the anticipated outcomes – Academics Basic General Adapted Functional

Other considerations Health Family care Job preparation Sexuality Social skills Independent living skills Recreational skills

Teaching by domains Domestic Recreation and leisure Vocational Community – Look at skills student needs in these areas – Identify areas in which the student needs instruction – Provide the instruction in the context of the domain

Other characteristics Gender- primarily male Ethnicity- there has been an over- representation of persons from minorities Live in single parent families Lower SES Family has a lower income