Maricris L. Llano: SPED 608
Maricris L. Llano: SPED 608
LLANO
Master of Arts in Education major in Special Education
SPED 608
Activity 1
Do a reading about the following identified categories:
Activity 2
Write the definition and characteristics of the seven (7) identified categories of
learners with exceptionalities.
3. Visual Impairment- Visual disabilities can be divided into low vision and blindness. Individuals with
low vision can function but with assistance of optical or non-optical devices and environmental
modifications and/or techniques. Blindness refers to being without functional use of vision and reliance
on other sensory systems for education.
4. Learning Disabilities-Definition of Learning Disabilities The regulations for Public Law (P.L.) 101-
476, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), define a learning disability as a “disorder
in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or
written language, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write,
spell or to do mathematical calculations.” The Federal definition further states that learning disabilities
include “such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia,
and developmental aphasia.” According to the law, learning disabilities do not include learning
problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; mental retardation; or
environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. Definitions of learning disabilities also vary among
states.
Students with EBD can exhibit behaviors such as chronic classroom disruption, aggression, and
general maladaptive behavior toward peers and adults. Some students exhibit depression,
obsessive/compulsive behavior, and excessive fears and phobias that merit special education
programming
6. Mentally Giftedness: Gifted children possess demonstrated or potential abilities that give evidence of
high performance capabilities in areas such as intellectual, creative, academic, or leadership ability or
visual or performing art. For that reason, these children require activities or services not provided
ordinarily by schools. Gifted and talented children tend to be highly motivated, learn to read early, and
perform well academically.
7. Multiple Disabilities- the Individual with Disabilities Education Act defines multiple disabilities as:
concomitant impairments (such as mental retardation-blindness, mental retardation-orthopaedic
impairment, etc.), the combination of which causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be
accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments. The term does not
include deaf-blindness. People with severe disabilities are those who traditionally have been labelled as
having severe to profound mental retardation. These people require on-going, extensive support in more
than one major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and enjoy the quality
of life available to people with fewer or no disabilities. They frequently have additional disabilities,
including movement difficulties, sensory losses, and behaviour problems.