Developmental Cognitive Disability PARAPROFESSIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING Definition

Developmental Cognitive Disability PARAPROFESSIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING

Definition Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) includes students labeled DCD Mild-Moderate and DCD Severe-Profound. DCD is defined as a condition that results in intellectual functioning significantly below average and that is associated with concurrent deficits in adaptive behavior that require special education and related services.

Causes Developmental delay can have many different causes, such as genetic causes (like Down syndrome), or complications of pregnancy and birth (like prematurity or infections). Often the specific cause is unknown. Some causes can be easily reversed if caught early enough, such as hearing loss from chronic ear infections or lead poisoning.

Teaching Students with DCD Students with intellectual disabilities can learn math, literacy, and science —they just need to be taught in a different way. Effective teaching strategies include: Hands-On Learning Play Based Learning Chaining Group Learning Positive Reinforcement

Hands-On Learning Strategies Set goals that are most important for the child Ensure materials and environment support the child's learning Use teaching strategies that motivate as well as teach the child new skills Utilize hands-on learning to increase awareness and comprehension

Play-Based Learning The use of play to teach cognitive skills Example: When playing, use statements like, "Can I play with the red car? " "Can you give me the blue car? " In this way, we teach skills while the child is playing

Group Learning One of the most effective teaching strategies Bring children together to teach various skills Children often motivate each other With this format, ensure that the child with the disability has the opportunity to provide input/answers Sometimes requires additional adults to facilitate

Chaining The process of breaking a task in to smaller steps to teach in a sequential manner Can use this to teach daily living skills and life skills

Positive Reinforcement Use to reinforce when the student learns a new skill or a known skill Great motivator Ensure that the reinforcement is appropriate for the student

Strategies Routines • Structure and predictability offer a sense of stability • Help children feel secure • Help to understand expectations Manipulatives • Hands on learning increases comprehension and carryover of skills • Handling manipulatives can also increase fine and gross motor skills Expression • Writing activities may be difficult, so allowing children to draw pictures or write short phrases may increase their confidence in their skills

Strategies Discussion Seating Arrangement • Speech/language difficulties are common • Many options regarding seating in general education classroom • Engaging in frequent discussion can increase skills and gives students increased practice with these skills • Will depend on individual • Ideas include: • Modeling language through reading books, asking/answering questions is a great way to increase discussion skills • Individual desk • Seated near/next to a peer model • Near the door in the event they may need to leave for a sensory break