Children's Hard Time With Intellectual Disabilities

writing and also speaking. To be on a different level a child could be health impaired. Every

In the last two decades, doctors and psychologists have gained the ability to diagnose specific disorders in children due to advancements in research studies and technology. One of the major classification of disorders that affect children in middle childhood are learning disabilities. Learning disabilities are a group of disorders characterized by inadequate development of specific academic, language, and speech skills. Speech disorders, Physical disabilities, and Social and Emotional disorders are all types of disorders that can affect and disrupt a child’s ability to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills. A child is considered to have a learning disability when they perform below the expected level of intelligence for their age and there is no evidence of other mental or physical handicaps, such as vision or hearing problems, intellectual disability, or socioeconomic disadvantage. Children with learning disabilities can all exhibit different types of symptoms and repercussions such as problems with math, reading, and writing, articulating speech and understanding spoken language, and motor coordination. For most kids with learning disabilities, these problems can last through adulthood. Fortunately, with early recognition and proper treatment, many individuals can learn and acquire the tools and knowledge to overcome or compensate for their disability. Two of the most common learning disabilities in middle childhood that affect the child inside and outside of the

Overall it can be concluding that caring for children with intellectual disabilities present many challenges that can cause psychological problems on the caregivers. Special education is very important for the students. It is also important for the caregivers to take care of themselves by participating in support groups or seek counseling if needed. If the caregiver if depressed, frustrated the care they give will be reflected on the children.

First, Rather than focusing on the child's learning deficiencies, emphasize and reward the child’s strengths and encourage them to find new interest and hobbies. Second it is important to meet with the child's teachers, tutors, and school support personnel to understand performance levels, and attitude toward school. After the student has been evaluated they are now eligible for special education services. Special education services are provided to student to work with a team of professionals, including your child's teacher, to develop an Individualized Education Program. The individualized education program is created to provide a summary of child’s current education and future goals within education. Children with learning disabilities need to know that they are loved and that they are not dumb. They need to know that they are intelligent normal people who just have trouble learning because their mind process words and information differently. Students with learning disabilities are just like every other student they just need more focus on certain learning

Disabilities; these may include a physical or learning disability. Children with a learning disability may not be capable of holding their attention for an extended period or pay close attention in class. A learning disability is not a problem with intelligence, disorders are caused by a difference in how information is received, processed and communicated in the brain.

While obtaining observation hours for ASHA, I had the privilege of viewing therapy sessions of students at Oscar Smith Middle School. I never had the opportunity of meeting children with disabilities personally until I began my observation hours. During a treatment session, two young ladies with Intellectual Disability (ID) captured my attention and changed my perspective on the part Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) play in providing these students with the critical skills to communicate with their special and general education instructors and others they may encounter through their environment. Witnessing the middle school students’ interactions with their SLP and myself gave me a glance at the rewarding aspects

Different disabilities may affect development in different ways. However, with support from teachers and parents, these affects can be minimalised. A learning disability such as Dyslexia (a common type of learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling) could lead to a child becoming frustrated which could further lead to behavioural issues. Moreover, without assistance, Dyslexia will allow for the child to become unmotivated and prove to be a hindrance to them as they look to strive in later life. Physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy (a neurological condition that effects movement and coordination) will affect development as children will have difficulties communicating, eating and drinking and with their

food. Functional limitations are usually associated with health problems and may include vision loss, hearing loss and the inability to use one of the parts of the body. Activity limitations include not being able to complete simple adult daily living activities, such as hygiene and self-care. People with disabilities may be restricted from participating in events in society because of their functional disabilities. Environmental and personal factors also play a role in affecting people’s lives (CDC, 2014).

Having a good support system is the key for parents when having a child with intellectual disabilities. I had the opportunity to discuss this with a teacher, Mrs. Karen Derrick, who teaches Special Education. She has

With Disabilities Education Act." Focus On Exceptional Children43.2 (2010): 1-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.

Children with disabilities need love, support, and lots of patience. Parents need to feel that they are ready to be part of their children's formation so the instruction provided by the educators can be reinforced at home.

Children with learning disabilities are a population who are inherently at risk. They are at risk of not being able to utilize the presented curriculum, as their non-disabled peers do. They are also at risk of suffering from emotional stress and or low self-efficacy as they negotiate classrooms assignments and expectations. Our Exceptional Children text states that children with learning disabilities, “… often struggle with reasoning, attention, memory, selecting and focusing on relevant stimuli and the perception and processing of visual or auditory stimuli (p162 Heward)”. It also says that “Seventy-Five percent of children with learning disabilities exhibit deficits in social skills… and have a higher incidence of behavioral problems (p.169 Heward).” The effects of one or multiple deficits, of those stated above, have the potential to steer, even a willing child, away from academic and or social success.

2. Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is an independent state agency that advocates on behalf of Georgians and families living with developmental disabilities. They provide Developmental Disability Services and Resources both in house and online services to parents and families.

Although estimates vary, research shows that approximately one percent of the world’s population is affected by intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) (Maulik et al., 419). Developmental disabilities refer to a wide range of severe, long term disabilities which affect physical or cognitive functioning; developmental disabilities appear before age twenty two. Intellectual disabilities refer to a specific category of developmental disabilities that “…are categorized by a limited mental capacity and difficulty with adaptive behaviors…” (NIH, 2010). Adaptive behaviors include, “…conceptual skills (e.g., language, money and time concepts), social

Behavioral principles have long been employed to achieve educational progress with children who have intellectual disabilities (Drew & Hardman, 2007). An issue of substantial concern is behaviors that may be self-injurious or dangerous to those surrounding the individual. In order to prevent occurrences of inappropriate behavior, family members and the educational staff must put effective interventions into place. These behavior procedures include the use of punishment and aversive consequences, and are sometimes put forth by professionals to change inappropriate behavior (Drew & Hardman, 2007). However, controversy exists over the social and ethical issues involved with the implementation of aversive procedures, especially when working with young children.