LEARNERS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES

“Learner” a person who is learning a subject or skill.

“Exceptionalities”
Exceptional
Adjective:
unusual; not typical.
synonyms: unusual, uncommon, abnormal, atypical, extraordinary, out of the ordinary.
synonyms: outstanding, extraordinary, remarkable, special, excellent, phenomenal, prodigious; More
US
(of a child) mentally or physically disabled so as to require special schooling.

The term “exceptional learners” includes those with special needs related to cognitive abilities, behavior,
social functioning, physical and sensory impairments, emotional disturbances, and giftedness.

• Gifted and talented – learners with the abilities at the upper end of the continuum
• Intelligence – ability to acquire & use knowledge, solve problems & reason in the abstract and adapt to
new situations in our environments
• You will encounter students with various degrees of intelligences

DISABILTY
Measurable impairment or limitation that interferes with a person’s ability. It may refer to a physical, sensory
or mental condition.

Examples of physical disability include:

amputation
arthritis
cerebral palsy
upper limbs
multiple-sclerosis
muscular dystrophy
acquired spinal injury (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
post-polio syndrome
spina bifida

Types of sensory disabilities

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Blindness and low vision
Hearing loss and deafness
Sensory processing disorder
Types of Mental conditions:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (Formerly Asperger’s, Autistic Disorder, & Rett’s)
Attachment Disorder
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

Autism
Conduct Disorder
Disorder of Written Expression
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Encopresis
Enuresis
Expressive Language Disorder
Mathematics Disorder
Mental Retardation, see Intellectual Disability
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Reading Disorder
Rumination Disorder
Selective Mutism
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Stereotypic Movement Disorder
Stuttering
Tourette’s Disorder
Transient Tic Disorder

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Is the law that provides comprehensive service and support for exceptional learners.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

An assessment of the student’s current level of performance
Long term objectives
Strategies to ensure that the student is making academic progress
Schedules for implementing the plan
Criteria for evaluating the plan’s success
Provides sufficient detail to guide general education classroom teachers & special education personnel.
HANDICAP
A disadvantage that occurs as a result of disability or impairment.

Examples:
Skeletal impairments
Arthritis
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Spinal Cord Injury
Head Injury (cerebral trauma)
Stroke (cerebral vascular accident - CVA)
Loss of Limbs or Digits (Amputation or Congenital)
Parkinson's Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

CATEGORIES OF EXCEPTIONALITIES
LEARNING DISABILITIES
Involves difficulties in specific cognitive processes. Like dyslexia(reading), dyscalculia (number of operations),
and dysgraphia (writing).

ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER(ADHD)

1.Difficulty in focusing and maintaining attention.
2.Recurrent hyperactive and impulsive behavior.

SPPECH AND COMMUNICATION DISORDER

Difficulties in spoken language like voice disorders inability to produce the sounds correctly, stuttering.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES

AUTISM
It is a condition manifested by different levels of impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive
behaviors and limited interests.

MENTAL RETARDATION
It refers to sub-average intelligence and deficits in adaptive behaviors.

EMOTIONAL/CONDUCT DISORDER
This involves the presence of emotional states.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND HEALTH IMPAIRMENTS

This involves physical or mental conditions including one or more of these,

1.Limited energy and strength

2.Reduced mental alertness
SEVERE AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES
This refers to the presence of two or more different types of disability, at times at a profound level.

SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS
- Visual Impairments
This involves malfunctions of the eyes.
- Hearing Impairments
This involves malfunctions of the ears.

GIFTEDNESS
This involves a significantly high level of cognitive development.