Understanding Students with Severe and Multiple

Disabilities

Chapter 10

IDEA Definition

• Concomitant impairments (MR + Blindness, MR + orthopedic imp.)

• Combination causes severe impairment

• Does not include deaf-blindness

Prevalence

• 2003-2004 132,333 students ages 6-21

• 0.2 % of all students receiving special education

Characteristics

• Intellectual functioning: can vary greatly but most have significant impairments

• Adaptive skills: self care

• Motor development: sensorimotor impairments and abnormal muscle tone

• Sensory functioning: hearing and vision

• Communication skills

Causes

• Genetic: chromosomal disorders

• Developmental brain abnormalities

• Metabolism and neuro-degenerative disorders

• Complications during birth

Evaluations

• Apgar Rank heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone,

gag reflex, and skin color

• Neuro-behavioral assessments

• Brain imaging

• IQ

• Adaptive behavior scales

Assistive Technology

• Computers• Communications devices• Toys• Games• Self-care• http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Ablenet-Inc?

gclid=CKXDr-y_nJICFQlXxgod_QqV-A• http://www.enablemart.com/?gclid=CMzV_rrto5I

CFQIGxgodOUEUQQ• http://www.accesstr.com/

Evaluating for Assistive Technology

• SETT framework (see pg. 238)

• MAP’s process - multidisciplinary group (see pg. 238-239)

Educational Placements

• 12% in general education 80-100% of time

• 17% in general education 79-49% of time

• 46% in general education 0-39% of time

• 20% in separate facility

• 2% in residential facility

• 2% in home/hospital

Measuring Students’ Progress

• Curriculum-based measurement

• Portfolio-based assessment

• Observational methods Field observations Time sampling Absence seizures