Professionals who provide supports to individuals with severe disabilities
Special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, medical professionals, psychologists, social workers, and families.
Evidence of severe disabilities
Significant limitations in intellectual functioning, communication, mobility, self-care, and adaptive behavior that require intensive supports.
Identifiable causes of severe disabilities
Genetic conditions, brain injury, prenatal factors, birth complications, illness, or trauma.
Primary symptom of severe and multiple disabilities
Extensive support needs across multiple developmental and functional areas.
Multiple disabilities – definition
The presence of two or more disabilities that together create severe educational needs that cannot be met in a single disability program.
IDEA – eligibility categories related to severe disabilities
Categories include multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments.
Alternate assessment – definition
An assessment aligned with alternate academic standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Functional approach in teaching students with severe disabilities
Teaching practical skills needed for daily living, independence, communication, and community participation.
Student preferences and needs
Instruction should reflect the student’s likes, strengths, needs, and real-life goals.
Epilepsy – definition
A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity.
Hypotonia – definition
Low muscle tone resulting in weakness and reduced strength.
TASH definition of severe disabilities
Severe disabilities require ongoing, intensive supports across multiple life activities.
Manual approach to teaching communication skills
Teaching communication through sign language and visual methods instead of spoken language.
Age of onset of hearing loss
Hearing loss may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in childhood.
Total communication approach
Uses all methods of communication including speech, sign language, gestures, and visual supports.
Most common cause of hearing loss in the postnatal period
Illness or infections such as meningitis.
American Sign Language (ASL) as a primary language
A complete visual language with its own grammar used by Deaf individuals.
Cochlear implant
A surgically implanted device that sends sound signals directly to the auditory nerve.
Audiologist – role
Diagnoses hearing loss, fits hearing aids, and supports functional listening skills.
Otologist – role
A medical doctor who treats disorders and diseases of the ear.
IDEA definition of deafness
A hearing impairment so severe that a child cannot process language through hearing, even with amplification.
Vision loss and educational performance
Vision impairments can negatively affect learning, reading, mobility, and access to instruction.
Flexibility in educational placements
Students with sensory disabilities may be educated in various settings based on individual needs.
Retinopathy of prematurity
A vision condition affecting premature infants linked to early incubator oxygen use.
