Mild Intellectual Disability

Students with mild intellectual disabilities usually exhibit adaptive behavioral skills significantly below average. Adaptive behavior includes social, conceptual, and practical skills use by people on a daily basis. Students with mild intellectual disabilities also have an IQ lower than 98% of their school age peers (Rosenberg M.S., Westling, D.L.and McLeskey J., 2012)

Characteristics:
Easily distracted
Deficits in memory and motivation
Poor social skills
Low achievement in all academic areas (Rosenberg M.S., Westling, D.L.and McLeskey J., 2012)

Prevalence:
These students are included in general education classrooms.
Mild intellectual disabilities can sometimes be incorrectly attached to students from culturally diverse backgrounds that in reality is high functioning. Early intervention efforts can reduce the occurrence of mild intellectual disabilities (Rosenberg M.S., Westling, D.L.and McLeskey J., 2012)

Educational practices
Research reveals that these students can learn more than previously believed. However, these students do need more time to learn and benefit from effective instructional practices than other students (Rosenberg M.S., Westling, D.L.and McLeskey J., 2012)

Additional info:
Intellectual disabilities persist throughout school years and into adulthood. Adults with mild intellectual disabilities are often employed in occupations with low pay, low status, and performing repetitive or simple tasks (Horowitz, Ed.D. S.H, 2012)

Reference:
Horowitz, Ed.D. S.H.. (2012). Learning Disabilities in Adulthood . Available: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-explained/ld-across-the-lifespan/learning- disabilities-in-adulthood-the-struggle-continues. Last accessed February 29, 2012.

Rosenburg M.S., Westling D.L. and McLeskey J. (2012). FAQ Sheet About Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities . Available: http://www.education.com/reference/article/faq-students-mild-intellecutal- disabilities/. Last accessed February 29,