Chapter 6: Individuals with Intellectual Disability

standard deviation (SD)

a descriptive statistic that expresses the variability and distribution of a set of scores relative to the mean

adaptive behavior

the ability of an individual to meet the standards of personal independence as well as social responsibility appropriate for his or her chronological age and cultural group

educable mentally retarded (EMR)

classification of a person with mild intellectual disabilities who typically develops functional academic skills at a third or fourth grade level; IQ range generally between 50-55 and 70-75

trainable mentally retarded (TMR)

classification of a person with moderate intellectual disabilities who is capable of learning self-care and social skills; IQ range between 35-40 and 50-55

level of support

a classification scheme for individuals with intellectual disabilities that is based on the type and extent of assistance required to function in various areas

natural supports

assistance rendered by family members, friends, teachers, and coworkers

formal supports

assistance provided by government social programs, habilitation services, or advocacy groups

normalization

a principle advocating that individuals with disabilities should be integrated, to the maximum extent possible, into all aspects of everyday living

deinstitutionalization

a movement whereby persons with intellectual disabilities are relocated from large institutions into smaller, community-based, group living settings

etiology

a term frequently used when describing the cause of a disability

prenatal

events occurring before birth

perinatal

events occurring at or immediately after birth

postnatal

events occurring after birth

down syndrome

a chromosomal abnormality frequently resulting in intellectual disability with accompanying distinctive physical features

chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

a diagnostic medical procedure used to detect a variety of chromosomal abnormalities, usually conducted in the first trimester of pregnancy

amniocentesis

a diagnostic medical procedure performed to detect chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in a fetus

therapeutic abortion

elective termination of a pregnancy due to the presence of a birth defect

fragile X syndrome

a chromosomal abnormality leading to intellectual disabilities along with physical abnormalities; believed to be the most common form of inherited intellectual disabilities

phenylketonuria (PKU)

an inherited metabolic disorder resulting from the inability of the body to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine; can be detected at birth and controlled by diet; left untreated, consequences are often severe

galactosemia

an inborn error of metabolism that makes infants unable to process galactose, resulting in a variety of physical problems in addition to intellectual disabilities; dietary intervention reduces potential for problems

rubella

a viral disease also known as German measles’ contact in first trimester of pregnancy often results in a variety of significant impairments

syphilis

a veneral disease; infection of the mother in the last trimester of pregnancy can cause intellectual disabilities in the child

acquired immune deficiency system (AIDS)

an infectious disease caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) that destroys the immune system, leaving the person open to serious, life-threatening diseases

Rh incompatibility

a condition that results when a woman who is Rh negative carries an Rh positive fetus. mother’s body will produce antibodies that can affect babies resulting from future pregnancies; often leads to intellectual disabilities and other impairments if mother does not receive an injection of Rho immunoglobin

toxoplasmosis

a maternal infection resulting from contact with parasites; especially devastating if exposure occurs during third trimester of pregnancy

cytomegalovirus (CMV)

a common virus that is part of the herpes group; if initial exposure occurrs during pregnancy, sever damge to the fetus often results

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

results from mother’s consumption of alcohol while pregnant; mild to moderate intellectual disability is common, along with physical deformaties. a leading cause of intellectual disability, although completely preventable

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

a term describing a group of conditions that can occur when a woman consumes alcohol while pregnant

partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS)

a less severe and more subtle form of fetal alcohol syndrome; caused by drinking alcohol while pregnant

anencephaly

cranial malformation; large part of the brain fails to develop

microcephaly

a condition in which the head is unusally small, leading to the inadequate development of the brain and resulting in intellectual disabilities

hydrocephalus

a condition in which the head is unusually large due to accumulation of excessive cerebrospinal fluid; brain damage is often minimized by surgically implanting a shunt to remove excess fluid

low birth weight

a term frequently used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5lbs. 8oz.)

premature births

babies born prior to thirty-seven weeks of gestation age

anoxia

loss of or inadequate supply of oxygen associated with the birth process and frequently resulting in brain damage

hypoxia

insufficient amount of oxygen to the brain; can result in brain damage

birth trauma

difficulties associated with the delivery of the fetus

breech presentation

fetus exits the birth canal buttocks first rather than the more typical headfirst presentation

precipitous birth

birth that occurs in less than two hours

lead poisoning

an environmental toxin used at one time in the manufacture of gasoline and paint; ingestion of lead can cause seizures, brain damage, and impaired central nervous system functioning

meningitis

a viral or bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord; associated with hearing loss and intellectual disabilites

encephalitis

an inflammation of the brain; may cause damage to the central nervous system

short-term memory

the recall of information after a brief period of time

working memory

the ability to retain information while also engaging in another cognitive activity

external locus of control

the belief that the consequences or outcomes of a person’s actions are the result of circumstances and situations beyond one’s control rather than a result of one’s own efforts

learned helplessness

a lack of persistence at tasks that can be mastered; a tendency to expect failure

outer-directedness

a condition characterized by a loss of confidence in one’s own capabilities and a reliance on others for cues and guidance

generalizing

the ability to transfer previously learned knowledge or skills acquired in one setting to another set of circumstances or situation

functional curriculum

a curriculum that emphasizes practical life skills rather than academic skills

functional academics

the application of life skilss as a means of teaching academic tasks; core of many instructional programs for students with mild or moderate disabilities

community-based instruction

a strategy for teaching functional skills in the environment in which they would naturally occur rather than in simulated settings

task analysis

an instructional methodology whereby complex tasks are analyzed and broken down into sequential component parts; each part is taught separately and then as a whole

cooperative learning

instructional process whereby heterogenous groups of students work together on an assignment

scaffolding

a cogntive teaching strategy in which the teacher provides temporary support to a student who is learning a new task; supports are gradually removed as the pupil becomes increasingly competent with the activity

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

symbols, aids, strategies, and techniques used as a supplement or alternative to oral language

infant stimulation

programs for infants with disabilities or those experiencing delays; emphasis on usually achieving developmental or cognitive milestones

environmentally at risk

youngsters who are biologically typical yet encounter life experiences or environmental circumstances that are so limiting that there is the possibility of future delayed development

established risk

youngsters with a diagnosed medical disorder of known etiology and predictable prognosis or outcome

biologically at risk

young children with a history or pre-, peri-, or postnatal conditions and developmental events that heighten the potential for later atypical development

family-centered intervention

a philosophy of working with families that stresses family strengths and capabilities, the enhancement of skills, and the development of mutual partnerships between service providers and families

sheltered workshop

a structured work environment for persons with disabilities in which vocational and social skills are often the focus of attention; may be a temporary or permanent placement

supported competitive employment

at a work site for typical workers, individuals with disabilities are employed and work alongside their typical peers but receive ongoing assistance from a job coach

job coach

an individual who supervises a person with a disability for all or part of the day to provide training, assistance, or support to maintain a jobs

self-determination

self-advocacy efforts by an individual with a disability; expression of desire to live one’s life according to one’s own wishes; assuming personal control over one’s life

self-advocacy

speaking out for one’s personal preferences; protecting one’s own interests