Understanding Disability Categories
As part of the IEP team, general education teachers and special education teachers must possess an understanding of the eligibility categories used to determine whether a student is eligible to receive special education services. General education teachers and special education teachers must collaborate and communicate in a professional and articulate manner with school psychologists, related service providers, administrators, colleagues, and families when determining eligibility for special education services and providing a rationale to support the need for delivery of services.
Part 1: Disability Comparison Template
Using the topic Resources and your research, complete the “Disability Comparison Template,” which includes a Part 1 chart focused on IDEA disability categories and the Part 2 chart focused on common, specific learning disabilities. Follow the example provided in the “Autism” row in the template. Document the specific resources used to complete the assignment on the “References” page of the template.
Part 2: Videos
To gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by students with disabilities, particularly those with dyslexia, explore the videos from “Through Your Child’s Eyes” as directed as part of the topic assignment. View the videos related to each category below. Focus on the grade level of your choice.
Reading Challenges
Math Challenges
Writing Challenges
Attention Challenges
Organization Challenges
Be prepared to discuss what the videos taught you about how to recognize some of the typical signs of dyslexia and how dyslexia can affect other areas of learning and life, not just reading.
Part 3: Reflection
In 250-500 words, consider that you learned from researching, completing the matrix, and viewing the videos by discussing the following.
Explain why it is important for teachers to be able to identify developmental and individual differences and recognize some of the typical signs of various disabilities when interacting with students.
Describe how you can use what you saw in the videos to help you better articulate the challenges faced by students with disabilities to those who are non-disabled. Include discussion of how what you observed in the videos can be used to help you collaborate and seek best practices for working with students with a wide range of disabilities.
Discuss how having a basic understanding of the ways various disabilities affect learning and other areas of a student’s life can assist teachers in responding to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Support the assignment with a minimum of three scholarly resources.
Submit the completed "Disability Comparison Template" and the written reflection to the instructor.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Disability Comparison Template
Part 1:
For this section of the template, focus on gathering details about the IDEA disability categories. Review the textbook and the topic study materials and use them to complete the chart. Note that “Autism” has been completed for you as an example.
Disability Category
Definition
Characteristics
Causes
Prevalence
Potential Effect on Learning
Autism
Autism is a developmental disability that affects communication (verbal and nonverbal) and social skills.
-Difficulty communicating and interpreting motives and cues of others
-Not comfortable with change
-Poor social skills
-May engage in the same activity over and over (SARRC, n.d.)
The causes of Autism are not clear, but has something to do with brain development before birth
Autism is one of the fastest growing disabilities. Prevalence has changed to 1 in 68 children in U.S. (Autism Society, 2016, para. 2)
Difficulty with written expression. Reading comprehension, math problem solving, fine and gross motor skills may also be affected, over and under selective attention
Deaf-Blind
Deaf-Blindness refers to a combined vision and hearing impairment that causes severe communication and educational challenges.
- Difficulty in accessing information through visual and auditory channels
- Challenges in communication and social interaction
Various causes, including genetic conditions, congenital syndromes, or acquired conditions
Prevalence rates vary, but it is considered a rare disability
Significant impact on communication, language development, and access to information
Deafness
Deafness refers to a partial or complete hearing loss that affects an individual's ability to hear and process auditory information.
- Difficulty in understanding spoken language without the use of hearing aids or sign language
- Challenges in verbal communication and auditory learning
Congenital conditions, genetic factors, or acquired causes, such as illness or injury
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that around 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children are born with detectable hearing loss
Difficulty in acquiring spoken language and auditory-based learning
Developmental Delay
Developmental Delay refers to a significant lag in one or more areas of a child's development compared to their peers (Gabis et al. 2020).
- Delays in cognitive, social, emotional, or physical development
- Difficulties in acquiring age-appropriate skills
Various factors, including genetic conditions, premature birth, or environmental factors
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that around 10-15% of young children experience developmental delays
Delays in overall learning and acquiring age-appropriate skills
Emotional Disturbance
Emotional Disturbance refers to a condition that affects a student's emotional well-being and behavioral functioning to a significant extent, leading to challenges in educational settings.
- Persistent difficulties in regulating emotions and behavior
- Problems in social relationships and interactions
The exact causes are not known, but may involve genetic, environmental, or neurological factors
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that around 9-13% of children and adolescents experience emotional or behavioral disorders
Difficulties in self-regulation, social interactions, and academic performance
Hearing Impairment
Hearing Impairment refers to a partial or complete loss of hearing that affects an individual's ability to perceive sounds.
- Difficulty in understanding spoken language without the use of hearing aids or assistive devices
- Challenges in verbal communication and auditory learning
Congenital conditions, genetic factors, or acquired causes, such as illness or injury
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that around 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children are born with detectable hearing loss (Batalla et al., 2023)
Difficulty in acquiring spoken language and auditory-based learning
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual Disability refers to significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which are manifested during the developmental period.
- Intellectual functioning below average, typically measured by an IQ test
- Difficulties in adaptive behavior, such as self-care, social skills, and communication
Various causes, including genetic conditions, prenatal exposure to toxins, complications during birth, or postnatal factors
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that around 1-3% of the population has an intellectual disability (McKenzie et al., 2016)
Challenges in learning and acquiring new skills, slower cognitive development, difficulties in problem-solving and abstract thinking
Multiple Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities refers to the presence of two or more coexisting disabilities that significantly impact a student's educational performance.
- Simultaneous presence of multiple disabilities, which may include intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, or health impairments
Various combinations of disabilities, which can have diverse causes
Prevalence rates vary, but it is estimated that a small percentage of students have multiple disabilities
Significant challenges in multiple areas of functioning, including communication, mobility, and learning
Orthopedic Impairment
Orthopedic Impairment refers to impairments related to the skeletal system, muscles, or motor functions that affect a student's ability to participate fully in educational activities.
- Physical limitat...