1. 13 Disability Categories defined by IDEA: To be covered for special education services, a child’s school performance must be adversely affected by a disability in one of the following categories
1.1. Specific Learning Disability: characterized by a specific group of learning challenges that affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math
1.1.1. Examples: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Auditory Processing Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disability
1.2. Other Health Impairment: conditions that limit a child's strength, energy, or alertness
1.2.1. Example: ADHD
1.3. Autism Spectrum Disorder: a developmental disability with a wide-range of symptoms, but it mainly affects a person's social and communication skills
1.4. Emotional Disturbance: various mental health issues
1.4.1. Examples: Anxiety disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression
1.5. Speech or Language Impairment: characterized by difficulty pronouncing words, making sounds and/or use of receptive and expressive language
1.6. Visual Impairment: problems with eyesight that cannot be corrected with eye wear
1.7. Deafness: people who cannot hear all or most sounds
1.8. Hearing Impairment: Hearing loss not covered by the definition of deafness
1.9. Deaf-Blindness: unique communication needs for people who are both deaf and blind
1.10. Orthopedic Impairment: characterized by a lack of function or ability in the body
1.11. Intellectual Disability: below average intellect; people with intellectual disabilities often have poor communication, selfcare, and social skills
1.12. Traumatic Brain Injury: damage to the brain caused by accident or some sort of physical force
1.13. Multiple Disabilities: students with more than one condition, the combination of which causes severe educational needs that cannot be accommodated in Special Education programs solely for one impairment
1.14. Developmental Delay (children under age 9): a delay in one or more of the following areas-physical development, cognitive development, communication, social-emotional development
2. Stages of Speech and Language Development (0-5 years): predictable stages and ages
2.1. newborns: mimicking
2.2. 4 months: coos and responds; recognizes words; looks to objects and people
2.3. 6 months: recognizes familiar voices and sounds
2.4. 6-9 months: babbling
2.5. 12-15 months: 1st words; develops vocabulary of 10+ words; plays peek-a-boo; responds to questions; labels objects
2.6. 18-24 months: spoken vocabulary grows; 2 word combinations; questions and statements; simple pretend play
2.7. 3 years: play acting for routines; how and why questions; interactions with peers
2.8. 4 years: complex sentences, understands complex instructions; 4+ combinations of words
2.9. 5 years: spoken vocabulary of 2000+ words; can say first and last name; understands 10,000+ words; tells stories with beginning, middle, and end; longer adult-child conversations
3. Physical Development: Nutritional needs should correspond to growth rate; poor nutrition impacts intellectual development
3.1. Infancy: loses some of birth weight
3.2. 2 weeks: gain weight and grow quickly
3.3. 4-6 months: double in birth weight
3.4. 6-12 months: growth slows down
3.5. 1-5 years: gain about 5 pounds a year
3.6. 2-10 years: steady growth
3.7. 9-15 years: puberty, final growth spurt
4. Stages of Human Development "The more you understand how individuals grow and develop, the better you will be able to provide appropriate support."
4.1. Infant: newborn to 1 year
4.1.1. form earliest connections; become familiar with environment; learn to crawl and walk
4.1.2. Support development by: responding to needs (develops trust)
4.2. Toddler: 1-3 years
4.2.1. explores world and environment; at times will be clingy/shy; quickly develops language skills
4.2.2. Support development by: playing with child, setting limits
4.3. Preschool: 3-5 years
4.3.1. gross and fine motor skills develop rapidly; emotionally more sure of self; endless questions; developing imagination; increased interest in cooperative play and turn taking
4.3.2. Support development by: encouraging social play and to try new things
4.4. Middle Childhood: 6-11 years
4.4.1. increased independence from family; increased focus on demands of school, friends, activities
4.4.2. Support development by: encouraging kindness and friendships; provide opportunities for responsibility
4.5. Adolescence: 12-18 years
4.5.1. move towards unique identity; can understand various points of view and compromise; examine personal experience; physical maturity
4.5.2. Support development by: providing freedom, respect and clarity; help understand developing sexuality
4.6. Adulthood: 18+ years
4.6.1. Young Adult: 18-25 years
4.6.1.1. often move out of family home; attend post-secondary school and/or join the workforce
4.6.1.1.1. Support adults (all stages) with developmental disabilities by providing choice, high expectations, and providing opportunity
4.6.2. Mature Adult: 25-55 years
4.6.2.1. often characterized by marriage, career expansion, home ownership, parenthood
4.6.3. Older Adult: 55-75 years
4.6.3.1. retire; reflect on life journey; potentially develop new hobbies and interests
4.6.4. Elder Adult: 75+ years
4.6.4.1. retire; reflect on life journey; potentially develop new hobbies and interests
5. Developmental Milestone Categories: Atypical development is when children do not meet or are missing milestones
5.1. Social Emotional
5.1.1. Example: a typical 4 year old will cooperate with other children; an indication of atypical development would be a child who ignores other children or doesn't respond to people outside of the family
5.2. language and communication
5.2.1. Example: a typical 4 year old can tell familiar story; an indication of atypical development would be a child who is unable to retell a favorite story
5.3. Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem solving)
5.3.1. Example: a typical developing 5 year old can draw a person with 6 body parts and copy geometric shapes; an indication of atypical development would be a child who does not draw pictures or who cannot copy shapes
5.4. Movement and physical development
5.4.1. Example of atypical development: a 5 year old can't brush teeth, wash/dry hands, or get undressed without help