Intellectual Disabilities Concept Map

1. Assistive Technologies

1.1. Touch Math: Dots inside the numbers represent the quantity of the number they're associated with. This helps students with ID because it breaks down the solving steps into simpler form for the student to learn.

1.2. Vocabulary Picture Cards: Useful for Students with ID because it allows students who struggle in connecting objects with words to comprehend what they are learning.

1.3. Echo Smart Pen: Records everything written down and even has a recorder to record what the teacher is saying, that way if the student is not able to keep up with the pace of the speaking they have a way to go back later and finish writing the notes from class.

1.4. Ginger: A tool used to help students suffering from ID and other disabilities with writing. An alternation from the traditional keyboard, Ginger is a keyboard that includes customizable themes, sentence rephrase and grammar checker. It is extremely beneficial for students with Down Syndrome as it will allow them to write more effectively than the traditional keyboard.

2. Accommodations

2.1. Providing Another Work Space for the Student: By allowing the student to work in a separate space, much of the pressure of trying to finish an assignment as quickly as other students can be relieved. Comparison is a harmful thing, and eliminating that factor is beneficial. Many students with ID struggle with problem solving, therefore a separate environment where comparison isn't a factor could be of huge benefit to the student.

2.2. Giving the Student Extra Time on Tests and Quizzes. This will help the student to not panic as much but rather to recognize they are able to go at a comfortable pace. Since many students with Intellectual Disabilities struggle to adapt to certain situations, adding extra time will eliminate some of the stress of trying to adapt to an uncomfortable pace.

2.3. Repetition of Directions: Repeating directions is an accommodation that can be applied to working with many other disabilities and impairments among students. However for students with ID, similar to students with LD, it can be difficult to process and learn new directions. Therefore in order to protect the student from feeling behind before the assignment is even given, the student can be reassured as to how to approach the assignment.

2.4. Allowing the Student to Work with a Partner or Group: Another accommodation that can be of benefit for students with ID as well as many other disabilities and impairments is allowing the student to work with a partner or group. From this, the student is able to experience the opportunity to walk through problems in a hands on experience, without the pressures that come with speaking in front of the class. Many students with ID have difficulty solving problems, and working with others gives students the opportunity to contribute and learn from classmates with less of a "risk factor."

3. Intellectual Disability IDEA Definition

3.1. Significantly sub average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance.