Also known as Intellectual Disability (ID)
The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) defines an intellectual exceptionality as an impaired ability to learn that sometimes causes difficulty in coping with the demands of daily life. Students with intellectual exceptionalities are usually identified through intelligence tests and measures of adaptive behaviour. Adaptive behaviour is a person’s ability to perform functional activities expected for their age and culture norms. Children with this exceptionality can range from mild to severe in how it affects their lives. Some will require more support than others and as they develop into adulthood may require on-going support to participate fully in all aspects of community life. This is a very important concept and there are more and more resources for these individuals after they complete school.
There are several causes for intellectual exceptionalities. Some common ones are downs, fetal alcohol and fragile X syndromes, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Tay-Sachs disease, Williams and Angelman syndromes, hydrocephalus and phenylketonuria. All have various considerations and no individual is the same in how they live out these causes. Some do have physical features that are unique to the syndrome, such as those with Williams syndrome with the bright eyes, very broad engaging smile and cute upturned nose, seen in the attached photo. All children that have intellectual exceptionalities have a way of melting our hearts in one way or another.
Understanding how to work with children with these exceptionalities is very complex and unique for every cause. It is important to further one’s knowledge about the uniqueness. There are many resources out there on the internet, such as this one for Williams syndrome. https://williams-syndrome.org/education
We must reinforce that when working with children with intellectual exceptionalities it is of utmost importance to get to know your student. To understand the unique causes and how the student lives it through their unique being. So important to do your own research.
Facebook Challenge Activity:
● Music is one way to connect with others and to enjoy the movement of our bodies. Many children with intellectual exceptionalities enjoy music. Find some music you love and allow yourself to explore the sound and how it moves you. Take 3 to 5 min today to dance! Groove is in the heart!!
Link here for Deee-Lite- Groove is in the heart
Video link:
In this ted talk Edie addresses many things but what stood out for me was the importance of high expectations and ensuring all individuals with exceptionalities are supported to contribute to our society in some way. “Exceptional treatment does not equal an exceptional life, it equals an exception from life.” Edie Cusack
College- possible for students with intellectual disabilities. Edie Cusack. (9 minutes)
Resources:
An inspiring and empowering ted talk from Matthew Williams, a Special Olympic athlete.
How much do you know about intellectual disabilities? (15 min).
There are many resources for the various types of intellectual exceptionalities. Here are just a few:
Angelman Syndrome
Down Syndrome
Williams Syndrome