Chapter 3: TYPES OF DISABILITIES

Sensory Impairment

1. sensory = senses

• sight

• hearing

• smell

• touch

• taste

• spatial awareness

Hearing Impairment

1. possible causes:

• birth difficulties

• injury/infection

• genetic causes

• loud noises

2. teaching strategy:

• written OR pictorial directions

• physically act out steps for activity

• seat hearing impaired at front row — they read lips

• wait longer for responses — be patient and tolerant

• use concrete objects — models, diagrams, samples

Sight Impairment

1. possible causes:

• age

• injury/infection

• genetic

• cataracts

• diabetic retinopathy

2. teaching strategies:

• record portions of textbooks

• writing on whiteboard — use contradict colours and bold lines

• say out loudly whatever you write on the whiteboard.

• seat them on the main instructional area

• provide clear oral instructions

• peer assistance

Physical Impairment

1. due to:

• severe accident — amputations

• brain injury — cerebral palsy

• infection

• disease

2. teaching strategies:

• adequate access to all parts in the classroom

• space between desks — provide sufficient space

• take some time to talk with them

Emotional Impairment

1. characteristic:

• an inability that cant be explained by sensory, intellectual, or health factors.

• difficulty building or maintaining relationships

• inappropriate behaviour/feelings under normal circumstances

• pervasive unhappiness/depression

• physical symptoms/fears related to school/personal problems

2. Teaching strategies:

• make instructions clear, teach one step at a time

• frequent eye contact. second row focused more on the first row.

• adjust work time so it matches attentions spans

• frequent breaks as necessary

• physical contact to focus attention.