Transcript Characteristics of Learners with Intellectual Differences

Characteristics of Learners with
Intellectual Differences
An Overview
Same more than different
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Some people describe the personalities
in Myers-Briggs Terms
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Introversion-Extroversion
Intuition – Sensing
Thinking – Feeling
Judging - Perceiving
Adaptations to use
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Accommodations
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Changes that enable the student to do the task
assigned
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Glasses
Large type
Books on tape
Adapted pencils
Using markers instead of pens or pencils
Adaptations to use
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Modifications
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Changes the task
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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
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Capacity
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Problem solving
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Cognitive skills
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Metacognition
Memory
Attention
Metacognition
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Ability to identify how one learns
Ability to evaluate, monitor, and adapt the
learning process
Difficulties in this area
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Planning
Evaluating
Organizing
Attention
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Difficulty focusing on a task
Difficulty getting started
Recognizing cues to start
Attention span
Maintaining attention
Selective attention
Generalization
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Transferring skills from one situation to
another
Changes can be difficult
Language development
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Acquire language at a slower rate
Have limited vocabulary
Have speech problems
Develop inappropriate non verbal skills
Physical development
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Less physically fit
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Smaller
Poor motor skills
More health problems
Difficulties of dual diagnoses
Social
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Personality characteristics are unique to
each person
Persons with mental retardation may have
immature behaviors
Persons with mental retardation may exhibit
maladaptive behaviors
Motivation
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Locus of control
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External vs internal
Expectation of failure
Learned helplessness
Outer-directedness
Educational Considerations
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Curriculum
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Decisions should be based on the anticipated
outcomes
Academics
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Basic
General
Adapted
Functional
Other considerations
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Health
Family care
Job preparation
Sexuality
Social skills
Independent living skills
Recreational skills
Teaching by domains
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Domestic
Recreation and leisure
Vocational
Community
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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
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Gender- primarily male
Ethnicity- there has been an overrepresentation of persons from minorities
Live in single parent families
Lower SES
Family has a lower income