Intellectual Disability Essay

Intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities are disabilities that can impact the education of students with intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disability is a disability that is characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior. There number of risk factors associated with intellectual disability, such as biomedical, social, behavioral, and educational; and the timing of expose such as prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal can influence those risk factors (“Frequently Asked Questions on Intellectual Disability”, n.d.). Intelligence and adaptive behavior are used to measure intellectual disability because people who have an intellectual disability experience significant limitation

If a person’s IQ test score is 70 or below it is general thought that the person has an intellectual disability. Measuring adaptive skills allows professionals to know if the person has the necessary social and practical skills in order to function in their everyday lives. Self-care, communication, social, academic, and occupational are all adaptive behavior skills used to test intellectual disability. When a person has significant limitations in adaptive behavior it can affect a person’s daily life and their ability to respond situations or the environment.

Autism affects an estimated 2 to 20 of every 10,000 people, depending on the diagnostic criteria used to diagnosis the intended person (“Autism Fact Sheet – Guide for Parents of Autistic Children”, 2011). Autism is characterized as a spectrum disorder that is described as a complex developmental disability. Individuals within the autism spectrum disorder may have autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and various developmental disorders. Behaviors associated with autism include delayed language development, difficulty making eye contact, trouble holding a conversation, decrease

An example of multiple disabilities could be in intellectual disability and blindness; or intellectual disability and orthopedic impairment. These multiple disabilities are often so severe that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs based on one impairment. There are many causes of multiple disabilities, and the most severe are evident at birth. Premature birth, difficulties after birth, genetic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, and infections are all factors that can contribute to multiple disabilities. Students who have multiple disabilities often have an intellectual disability as a primary condition. Health needs are also a concern with these students, who sometimes have condition such as congenital heart disease, respiratory problems, and epilepsy. Multiple disabilities can have an impact on the education of the student’s affected. Students with multiple disabilities will not benefit from basic academic instruction in literacy and mathematics. The most effective approach is instruction in functional academics. Students should learn basic calculations, life skills, and basic communication concepts. An appropriate education will allow students with multiple disabilities to transition from school to adult