Mild Cognitive Disabilities (Mild Mental Retardation)

IDEA Definition Definition of Adaptive Behavior and examples Levels of support (& description of each level) Learning needs Practices/strategies

Mild Cognitive Disabilities Definition

Components of IDEA and AAMR definitions include: Sub-average intellectual functioning; Deficits in adaptive behavior; Onset during the developmental period. IDEA also states that educational performance must be adversely affected.

Adaptive Behaviors

Determines how cognitive impairments impacts an individual’s ability to participate in a variety of activities. Supports needed for independence.

Adaptive Behaviors include

Communication; Community Use; Functional Academics; Self-care; Home Living; Self-direction; Social Skills; Health & Safety; Leisure; Work.

Mild

75-50

Moderate

55-35

Severe

40-20

Profound

25-<20

Levels of MCD by needed for supports include

Intermittent; Limited; Extensive; Pervasive.

Intermittent

Supports provided as needed basis; Episodic, short-term during transitions.

Limited

Supports provided on consistent basis; time limited.

Extensive

Support provided on regular basis; Provided in one or more environments, not time limited.

Pervasive

Support provided is high intensity and on continual basis; Provided across environments; Needed for survival; May be intrusive.

Identifying students with MCD

Nondiscriminatory evaluations must include intelligence testing and measures of adaptive behaviors; Consider cultural and environmental expectations and demands.

MCD in Early Childhood

typically identified as having “developmental delay” rather than MCD; Delays can be caused by lack of motivation and persistence related to new and challenging tasks.

MCD in the Elementary Grades

Global delays are seen; Some delays become more apparent after entering school; mild language; academic gap; social skills.

MCD and Adolescence

Results of delays become more pronounced in learning and adaptive areas; Functional curriculum is important(reading, writing, math; job skills; social skills; independent living skills).

Memory Deficits

Academics; language; social-adaptive behaviors; short-term memory problems create difficulty in all areas of learning.

Attention Deficits

Number & Mathematical Concepts; pragmatics; vocational skills; paying attention for extended periods and attending to tasks.

Motivational & Task Persistence

Activities that develop skills; Challenging tasks; Learned Helplessness

Adaptive Behaviors learning needs

Relationships; Inappropriate Behaviors; Daily Living Skills.

Adaptive Behaviors are

the foundations for success in life.

Effective Practices for students with MCD

Applied Behavior Analysis; Functional Curriculum; Explicit Instruction.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Positive reinforcement, shaping and chaining (helps with teaching new skills); Instruction: generalization and maintenance (help learn skills across environments and keep skills); Stimulus cueing (helps with attention problems).

Functional Curriculum

Real world skills to be independent. Include: At home, school, work, and in the commmunity.

Explicit Instruction

Instructional components include: appropriate pacing; frequent student responses; provide feedback; monitor responses; adequate processing time.