Developmental Cognitive Disability DCD

1
Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD)

• What it is and what you need to know to help
  students

2
Definition

• Condition resulting in intellectual functioning
  significantly below average
• And
• Concurrent deficits in adaptive behavior that
  adversely affects educational performance and
  requires special education and related services

3
Criteria

• Significantly below average general intellectual
  functioning
• Mild-moderate range (2 SD below mean)
• Severe-profound range (3 SD below mean)
• Wechsler Intelligence Tests for Children Fourth
  Edition
• Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Tests

4
Criteria (cont.)

• Below average adaptive behavior in school and
  home/community
• At or below 15th percentile
• Documentation of need in 4 of 7 adaptive domains
• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale
• Adaptive Behavior Assessment System

5
Incidence

• 1 of general population
• Pine Island 2006 Child Count
• 11 (0.9 of student population)

6
Characteristics

• Development at slower rate
• Difficulties with particular areas of basic
  thinking and learning
• Can be taught useful reading and number skills
• Not emotionally impaired but may be immature
• Information learned in one setting not applied to
  another

7
Characteristics (cont.)

• Retention of information taught may be brief
• Interaction with environment may not result win
  the acquisition of new skills
• Difficulty articulating needs and wants
• Change of environment of instructional approach
  may be difficult

8
Educational Implications

• Have the capacity to learn, develop and grow
• Majority become productive, full participants in
  society
• Modifying instruction is the starting point for
  successful learning
• Concrete materials, interesting, relevant

9
Instructional Strategies

• Small, sequential steps with frequent review
• Prompt and consistent feedback
• Teach skills that students will use frequently
• Formulate expectations based on ability
• Concrete and clear instruction

10
Instructional Strategies (cont.)

• Work toward independence
• Reduce distractions
• Multi-sensory approaches
• Encourage self-evaluation
• Immediate, positive reinforcement
• Give sincere praise