Foundations & IEP
Describe Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Title III of ADA prohibits discrimination of persons w disabilities in public accommodations- seeks to give access to people with disabilities participating in public activities. Business are required to comply with ADA standards (e.g., ramps, hallways, restrooms, etc.)
Define Systematic Instruction
KNOW YOUR STUDENTS!!!
Present Levels (PLAAFP), Goals & Objectives, IEP
Use data to inform instructional decisions!
Plan response prompting and fading systems and strive for errorless learning:
•simultaneous prompting
•time delay
•system of least prompts
•most-to-least intrusive prompts (graduated guidance)
Define Physical Disability
Any disability that limits gross mobility and prevents “normal body movement”.
(e.g., Muscular dystrophy).
Define "severe disabilities.
People with severe disabilities are those who traditionally have been labeled as having severe or profound “mental retardation”.
require ongoing extensive support in more than one major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and enjoy the quality of life available to people with fewer or no disabilities.
frequently have additional disabilities, including movement difficulties, sensory losses, and behavior problems.
List the seven steps to the IEP process
1) Present Levels of Educational and Functioning Performance (PLAAFP)
2) Measurable Annual Goals
3) Progress Reports (report progress at least as frequent as "GenEd report cards")
4) IEP Services (Special Education Services, Supplementary Aids & Services, Related Services)
5) Least Restrictive Environment
6) Accommodations for State & District Assessment (Alternative Assessment?)
7) Transition Plan (Education, Training, Employment, Independent Living, Transfer of rights at age of majority)
Explain when a school system is legally responsible to conduct and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Define "Specific Learning Disability Eligibility
Specific learning disability — General. Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.
•Dyslexia
•Dysgraphia
•Dyscalculia
•Auditory processing disorder
•Nonverbal learning disability
List the 13 eligibility categories for services under IDEA
1) Autism
2) Specific learning disability
3) Speech or language impairments
4) Emotional disturbance
5) Traumatic brain injury
6) Visual impairment
7) Hearing impairment
8) Deafness
9) Intellectual disability
10) Deaf-blindness
11) Multiple disabilities
12) Orthopedic impairment
13) Other health impairment
Define and describe how the Woodcock Johnson achievement tests are used to identify students with learning disabilities.
WJ tests include a test of achievement (reading, math, written expression) and a test of cognitive abilities. WJ test helps IEP teams gather data to see if there is a discrepancy between the student’s achievement and cognitive ability.
Describe some common behavioral issues for children with Autism
Autism is a “Spectrum Disorder” (ASD) which means the characteristics of the disability vary depending upon the student. However, there are some common behaviors associated with ASD: repetitive behaviors can be distracting (hand flapping, or making vocalizations). Some students with ASD demonstrate preoccupation with doing activities, tasks, or routines in certain ways. Some students with ASD prefer to participate in a limited range of activities and may get upset when asked to participate in activities outside of their interest.
Describe the “Child Find” Law as it applies to public schools
“Child Find” is part of IDEA and states that schools are legally required to find children who have disabilities and need special education and other services. ALL school systems must have processes for identifying children with disabilities from birth to age 21. Children who are home schooled and children in private school are also covered by the child find law. Infants and toddlers can be identified and provided with services and parents can have the right tools in place to meet their children’s needs.
Describe what the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale assesses and how it is useful for students with disabilities.
The VABS measures social skills of children and adults. “Adaptive behavior” refers to skills needed for day-today activities and independent living. Especially useful for transition planning.
Describe Receptive Language Disorders and characteristics of children with receptive language disorders
Children with receptive language disorders often demonstrate appropriate expressive language skills; however, they may seem like they are not paying attention or appear to have difficulty following directions (especially verbal directions). Children with receptive language disorders cannot perceive meaning.
Explain the process of Manifestation Determination.
Manifestation Determination is the process defended by IDEA: when a student with a disability needs to be removed from school for disciplinary action (suspension, expulsion) an IEP team must first rule out that the student’s disability contributed to the behavioral infraction leading to disciplinary action by the school. Did the student’s behavior result from a “manifestation” of the student’s disability?
Define teratogens
(e.g., using alcohol during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable birth defects, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities. The only way to prevent FAS is for a woman to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy).
Explain how language development is affected when a child has a hearing loss.
Hearing language is part of learning language. Children with hearing loss miss out on sounds associated with language. Hearing loss can sometimes lead to delayed speech and language as well as issues with socialization and making friends.
Compare and contrast IEP vs 504 plan
When physical disabilities do NOT affect a student’s academic progress (no educational impact of the disability) then the student can receive related services (e.g., occupational, and physical therapy) as part of a 504 plan.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is about "education"
•Special education services act
•13 eligibility categories of IDEA
•“educational impact”
•specialized instruction
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 is about "accessibility"
•Accommodations act
•Broader definition of “disability”
•Environmental supports and accommodations (ramps, hallways space, restroom space)
Define and describe prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal disabilities
Prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal risk factors can be genetic or environmental. These risk factors can contribute to intellectual disabilities. Prenatal (before delivery) factors included genetic syndromes (Down Syndrome), brain malformation, maternal disease, and environmental influences. Drugs, alcohol, and/or poison exposure can affect and unborn child. Perinatal (during delivery) risk factors include labor delivery trauma or anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) at birth. Neonatal (post-birth) risk factors include hypoxia ischemia injury (brain injury), traumatic brain injury, infections, seizure disorders, and toxic metabolic syndromes.
Explain the characteristics and implications of dyslexia and dysgraphia disorders.
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia are “Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Dyslexia is a permeant condition that makes it difficult for people to read. Children with dyslexia often have difficulties with phonemic awareness skills and decoding. Dysgraphia is a disorder that causes issues with written expression. Children with dysgraphia often struggle with holding pencils and writing letters accurately. It is difficult for students with dysgraphia to distinguish shapes, use correct letter spacing, read maps, copy text, and understand spelling rules.