Multiple Disabilities

Encompasses a combination of conditions that may impact a student’s ability to learn and achieve success in an academic setting.  o   Students with severe disabilities are typically included under this terminology. o   This disability category includes those students with the most severe physical, cognitive, and communicative impairments.  o   The common connection isn’t that they have two or more co-existing impairments, but that they generally need extensive support across any number of skill areas.

Characteristics - Six Categories that impact their learning:

Intellectual functioning-  Most have severe impairments Adaptive skills-  Especially self-care and social skills Programs should include self-care and self-advocacy components (essential for their inclusion in the community)

Motor development- Significant delays in fine and gross motor skills Physical Therapy w/ orthopedic supports to improve deficits in motor Sensory impairments- Hearing and visual impairments are common Having a clear understanding of their sensory impairments will

help develop appropriate instructional programs.

Health care needs- Medical procedures, medical aids, medications

Communication skills- Challenges requiring augmentative and alternative communication

Teaching Strategies:

Planning process: a multidisciplinary process (parents, teachers, physical therapist, assistive technology teachers, and any additional support staff). Determining the students strengths and desires Determine what Resources and support will be needed Develop an IEP Integrate students with multiple disabilities with other peers.  Part of the

learning process is social development. Peer tutoring – Must be reciprocal.  Student with MD should be able to provide something to the tutoring process, even if it is simply social behavior. Assistive technology – is an effective tool for students with MD in overcoming functional and communicative limitations. Augmentative and Alternative Communication –is any

instructional device, technique, or system that serves to support and bolster communication

GOAL: AAC devices allow students with MD to share countless emotional and social benefits that can come from a reciprocal interaction with another person.

Tangible and tactile symbol systems:

Choice boards

Object prompts & symbols

Physical modeling & prompting

Computer or microswitch technology