TYPOLOGY OF LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

A. LEARNERS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY.

➢ AUTISM
➢ IDDs-TRISOMY 21
➢ FRAGILE X SYNDROME
➢ PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME

WHAT IS AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY?

An intellectual disability is characterised by someone having an IQ below 70 (the median

IQ is 100. People with an intellectual disability may process information more slowly, find
communication and daily living skills hard, and also have difficulty with abstract concepts such
as money and time.

IMPACT OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

• Difficulty understanding new information

• Difficulties with communication and social skills
• Slow cognitive processing time

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People
with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive
behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying
attention.

Examples of social communication and social interaction characteristics related to ASD can include

➢ Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, shows you an object that
they like)
➢ Does not point to show you something interesting by 18 months of age
➢ Does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age
➢ Does not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months of age
➢ Does not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months of
age
➢ Does not sing, dance, or act for you by 60 months of age
➢ Other Characteristics

Most people with ASD have other related characteristics. These might include

➢ Delayed language skills

➢ Delayed movement skills
➢ Delayed cognitive or learning skills
 ➢ Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior
➢ Epilepsy or seizure disorder
➢ Unusual eating and sleeping habits
➢ Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)
➢ Unusual mood or emotional reactions
➢ Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry
➢ Lack of fear or more fear than expected

Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), or Martin-Bell syndrome, is a non-Mendelian trinucleotide repeat

disorder. FXS is the most prevalent inherited cause of mild-to-severe intellectual disability and
the most common monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder. It accounts for about one-
half of cases of X-linked intellectual disability and is the most common cause of mental
impairment after trisomy 21.

Physical features include a long, narrow face with a prominent jaw and forehead, hyperflexible
fingers, and large ears. After puberty, enlarged testicles may be present in males .

There is no cure for FXS; therefore, management primarily involves symptomatic

treatment, including speech therapy, behavioral therapy, sensory integration, occupational therapy, and
special education

CAUSE

It is inherit in a way that is known as x-linked as the change gene is in the x chromosome. This means
that men in fragile x syndrome are often more severely affected than women. This is because men only
has one x chromosome while the female has two.

Down syndrome (TRISOMY 21)

Genetic condition caused by an extra chromosomes. Most babies inherit 23 chromosomes

from each parent for a total of 46 chromosomes. Babies with down syndrome however, end up
with three chromosomes at position 21 instead of the usual pair.

Down syndrome is not a disease or illness, it is a genetic disorder which occurs when someone
is born with a full, or partial, extra copy of chromosome 21 in their DNA.

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder which affects around 1 in 10,000 –
20,000 people (Better Health Channel). This disability is quite complex and it’s caused by an
abnormality in the genes of chromosome 15.

One of the most common symptoms of PWS is a constant and insatiable hunger which typically
begins at two years of age. People with PWS have an urge to eat because their brain (specifically
their hypothalamus) won’t tell them that they are full, so they are forever feeling hungry.

The symptoms of PWS can be quite varied, but poor muscle tone and a short stature are
common. A level of intellectual disability is also common, and children can find language,
problem solving, and maths difficult.

Someone with PWS may also be born with distinct facial features including almond-shaped
eyes, a narrowing of the head, a thin upper-lip, light skin and hair, and a turned-down mouth.

PWS is characterized by mild to moderate levels of intellectual disability, compulsive behaviors,

skinpicking, tantrums, irritability, hoarding, heightened fascination and skills with jigsaw and word search
puzzles, growth hormone dysregulation, hyperphagia, and increased risks of morbid obesity.

TEACHING STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

➢ GIVING MORE TIME AND PRACTICE THAN USUAL

➢ ADAPTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
➢ INCLUDE STUDENT DELIBERATELY IN GROUP ACTIVITIES

TEACHING STRATEGIES

• Use clear straightforward language

• Present information in a range of formats handout, worksheets, overheads, video- to
meet diversity of learning styles
• Keep diagrams uncluttered and use color wherever appropriate to distinguish the
highlight
• Ensure that the key information and instruction are repeated or highlighted in some way
• One on one tutoring in subjects may be important.