Special needs" is a term used to describe people who
need extra help or adjustments because of a disability, medical condition, or
learning difference. This could be in school, work, or everyday life.
It was called this because it was seen as a softer, more
polite way to talk about disabilities and extra support needs, especially in
education.
It means that a person’s needs are different from most
people’s in some areas, and they may need extra support to learn, work, or take
part in activities.
The term became common in the mid-to-late 20th century,
especially in education and charities like the special olympics, as a
replacement for older, outdated terms.
· physical disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, vision or
hearing loss)
· learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, intellectual
disability)
· developmental conditions (e.g., autism)
· emotional or mental health needs
· chronic illnesses or medical conditions
· learning disabilities:
used more in the u.s. and some other countries; refers to conditions that
affect learning and thinking skills.
· learning difficulties:
common in the uk; includes a wide range of challenges in learning, some
temporary, some lifelong.
They were used to replace older, offensive language and to be more respectful
and accurate.
Understanding learning disability, learning difficulties,
and special needs. What is a learning disability, learning difficulties, and
special needs? What "special needs" often encompasses – a
broad range of physical, emotional, and cognitive conditions that can lead to
individuals needing extra support in various aspects of their lives.
"learning difficulties" is a
more specific term that falls under the umbrella of special needs. It refers to
challenges that primarily affect a person's ability to learn and process
information effectively. These difficulties can manifest in various ways, such
as:
• dyslexia:
difficulty with reading.
• dysgraphia:
difficulty with writing.
• dyscalculia:
difficulty with mathematics.
• adhd
(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder): difficulty with focus, attention,
and sometimes hyperactivity and impulsiveness,
• which
can impact learning.
• processing
disorders: difficulty understanding and using information received through the
senses.
• language
processing disorders: difficulty understanding or expressing spoken and written
language.
So, while all learning difficulties can
be considered special needs because they require tailored support and
accommodations in educational settings, not all special needs are learning
difficulties. For example, a physical disability that requires wheelchair
access is a special need but not a learning difficulty in itself. Similarly, an
emotional or behavioral disorder might require special support but isn't
primarily about how someone learns academic content.
Think of it like this: special needs is
the larger circle, encompassing a wide array of challenges, and learning
difficulties are a smaller circle within it, specifically focused on issues
affecting the learning process.
Intellectual disabilities
– dsm-5 definition
According to the dsm-5 (diagnostic and
statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition), intellectual
disability (also called intellectual developmental disorder)
is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins before
the age of 18.
It is characterized by significant limitations in:
1.
Intellectual functioning –
such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, academic
learning, and judgment.
2.
Adaptive functioning –
how well a person meets community standards of personal independence and social
responsibility, in three domains:
o Conceptual (language,
reading, writing, math, memory, reasoning)
o Social (empathy,
social judgment, friendships, communication)
o Practical (personal
care, money management, organizing tasks, work skills)
These difficulties affect everyday life and
are not due to temporary problems such as lack of education or
cultural differences.
Levels of severity
Dsm-5 recognizes four levels, based on adaptive
functioning (not iq alone):
1.
Mild
2.
Moderate
3.
Severe
4.
Profound
Possible causes
Intellectual disabilities can result from many factors,
including:
- Genetic
conditions (e.g., down syndrome, fragile x syndrome, williams
syndrome, prader–willi syndrome, apert syndrome, phenylketonuria/pku)
- Prenatal factors (alcohol/drug
exposure, malnutrition, infections such as rubella)
- Perinatal factors (birth
complications, oxygen deprivation)
- Postnatal factors (head
injury, brain infections, neglect)
- Metabolic
disorders
- Sometimes, the
cause is unknown.
Common examples of intellectual disabilities
- Fragile x
syndrome
- Down syndrome
- Prader–willi
syndrome
- Williams syndrome
- Phenylketonuria
(pku)
- Apert syndrome
- Brain injury or
trauma (if it occurs before adulthood)
- Cerebral palsy
(when accompanied by intellectual impairment)
- Epilepsy (in some
cases)
Note: autism spectrum disorder (asd) is not automatically
an intellectual disability, but it can occur alongside id.
Signs and symptoms
- Delayed
milestones (sitting, crawling, walking, talking)
- Speech that may
be difficult to understand at first
- Learning
difficulties (reading, writing, mathematics)
- Trouble with
problem-solving and abstract thinking
- Difficulty
understanding social rules and norms
- Short-term memory
challenges
- Needing support
for daily living skills (personal care, money management, organizing,
work)
Related/co-occurring conditions
- Autism spectrum
disorder
- Adhd
(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
- Impulse control
disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
Key points
- Intellectual
disabilities are lifelong.
- They are not diseases
and cannot be “cured,” but support, education, and therapy can
greatly improve quality of life.
- Many people with
id have strong talents and positive qualities – e.g., acting, art, sport,
or excellent interpersonal warmth.
Intellectual disabilities (dsm-5) – question
& answer sheet
Q1. What are intellectual
disabilities according to dsm-5?
A: intellectual
disabilities are conditions where a person has below-average intellectual
functioning and difficulties with adaptive skills (thinking, social, and
practical skills) that begin before the age of 18–22.
Q2. What are the three
main areas affected?
A:
1. Conceptual
skills – e.g., reading, writing, math, understanding time,
problem-solving.
2. Social
skills – e.g., communicating, making friends, understanding social
rules.
3. Practical
skills – e.g., daily living tasks, personal care, money handling,
safety.
Q3. What causes
intellectual disabilities?
A: causes
can include:
· genetic
conditions (e.g., down syndrome, fragile x syndrome)
· problems
during pregnancy (e.g., infections, poor nutrition, alcohol or drug
exposure)
· problems
during birth (e.g., lack of oxygen)
· illness
or injury in early childhood (e.g., head injury, severe malnutrition,
infections)
Q4. How are intellectual
disabilities diagnosed in dsm-5?
A: a
diagnosis involves:
· iq
testing (usually below 70–75)
· assessment
of adaptive functioning in the three skill areas
· onset
before adulthood (before age 18–22)
Q5. What are the levels of
severity in dsm-5?
A:
· mild –
may learn academic skills up to about 6th grade level; can live independently
with some support.
· moderate –
may learn basic reading/writing; needs daily support.
· severe –
limited communication skills; needs significant daily support.
· profound –
requires 24-hour care and support.
Q6. What support may be
needed?
A:
· special
education and tailored learning
· life
skills training
· speech
and language therapy
· occupational
therapy
· support
with employment and housing
· health
and social care services
Q7. Can people with
intellectual disabilities live fulfilling lives?
A: yes
— with the right support, people can work, form relationships, enjoy hobbies,
and be active members of their community.
Q8. Why is early
identification important?
A: early
identification allows access to learning support, therapies, and family
guidance that can improve independence and quality of life.
Questions
1.
What does dsm-5 mean?
2.
What are the two main things affected
in intellectual disabilities?
3.
At what age must difficulties
start for a diagnosis?
4.
Name the three life areas dsm-5
looks at for adaptive skills.
5.
What are the four levels of
intellectual disability?
6.
Name three health conditions that
can cause intellectual disabilities.
7.
Name two things that can
happen before birth that may cause intellectual disability.
8.
Name two things that can
happen during or after birth that may cause intellectual
disability.
9.
True or false – all people with autism
have an intellectual disability.
10.
Name three signs of
intellectual disability in children.
11.
Name two other conditions that
often happen alongside intellectual disability.
12.
True or false – intellectual disabilities can
be cured.
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