Special Education Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

Multiple Disabilities

Defined as concomitant impairments (e.g., intellectual disability with blindness or orthopedic impairment) resulting in severe educational needs.
These needs cannot be fully accommodated in special education programs aimed at a single impairment.

Prevalence

In the 2010-2011 school year, around 2.1% of all students aged 3 to 21 in special education were classified with multiple disabilities.

Characteristics of Students

Intellectual Functioning: Students generally perform 2 standard deviations below average; significant variability in academic abilities exists.
Progress is possible within general curriculum areas such as literacy, math, science, and social studies.
Students can achieve some independence in personal care.
Motor and physical challenges are prevalent, with abnormal muscle tone affecting mobility.
Children with deaf-blindness may experience limited sensory functioning.
Communication impairments are common.

Learning Challenges

Skills are acquired slowly; more instructional trials are necessary for new skills.
Students learn fewer skills overall and struggle with abstract concepts.
Poor generalization and maintenance of newly learned skills.
Communication difficulties hinder expression and comprehension.

Physical and Behavioral Challenges

Impaired physical development leads to difficulties in basic movements like walking or sitting up without support.
Self-help skills are severely impacted, often requiring assistance in dressing, eating, and managing bowel/bladder control.
Challenging behaviors may include stereotypic actions (e.g., rocking or finger waving) and self-stimulatory behaviors (e.g., hair pulling).

Causes

Specific genetic factors can lead to types of multiple disabilities due to gene or chromosome abnormalities.
Example: Fragile X syndrome can cause a combination of intellectual disability and autism.

Evaluating Students

The Apgar test is a screening tool for newborn health, which can indicate the presence of disabilities.

Apgar Test Components

Evaluates five physical traits: skin color, heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, and reflex irritability when stimulated.

Educational Framework

The Children's School Success Curriculum (CSS) focuses on an integrated general education approach.
This curriculum includes a four-step process: reflect and act, plan and predict, act and observe, and report and reflect; supports content area emphasis, such as reading and math.

Instructional Strategies

Effective strategies include incorporating the CSS curriculum and promoting partial participation.

Partial Participation

Advocates for children with multiple disabilities to engage in age-appropriate environments, regardless of their participation level.

Educational Approaches

Emphasis on functional curriculum tailored to the individual needs of students.

Behavior Regulation Strategies

Picture prompts and antecedent cue strategies use visual/audio cues to help students manage behaviors and complete tasks.

Self-Monitoring Techniques

Encourage students to track their own behavior or actions using methods such as charting progress or checklists.

Description

Test your knowledge on important terms related to special education. This quiz covers definitions and statistics relevant to multiple disabilities and their impact on educational needs. Perfect for educators and students in special education programs.