FTCE ESE Characteristics of Exceptionalities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student in your class consistently reverses letters, reads slowly with many decoding errors, and struggles with phonemic awareness despite average intelligence. These characteristics are most consistent with:
- Intellectual Disability
- Dyslexia (Specific Learning Disability in Reading) (Correct answer)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD, Primarily Inattentive Presentation
Correct answer: Dyslexia (Specific Learning Disability in Reading)
Dyslexia is characterized by difficulty with phonological processing, decoding, reading fluency, and spelling, despite adequate intelligence and educational opportunity.
Question 2: Which characteristic is most commonly associated with students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
- Below-average intellectual functioning in all areas
- Deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior (Correct answer)
- Primarily expressive language delays with typical social development
- Significant difficulty with reading and writing only
Correct answer: Deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior
The DSM-5 defines ASD by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across contexts, along with restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities.
Question 3: A student demonstrates significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior skills that originated before age 18. This description best fits which exceptionality category?
- Specific Learning Disability
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorder
- Intellectual Disability (Correct answer)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Correct answer: Intellectual Disability
Intellectual Disability is defined by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (IQ below approximately 70) and adaptive behavior skills, with onset during the developmental period.
Question 4: Which of the following is a characteristic of students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD) as defined under IDEA?
- Primarily academic skills deficits with no social difficulties
- A condition exhibiting one or more characteristics such as inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors (Correct answer)
- Autism spectrum characteristics with rigid behavioral patterns
- Attention and hyperactivity difficulties that respond to medication
Correct answer: A condition exhibiting one or more characteristics such as inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
IDEA defines Emotional Disturbance (EBD) by characteristics including inability to learn, interpersonal relationship difficulties, inappropriate behaviors, pervasive unhappiness, and physical symptoms or fears related to school problems.
Question 5: A student with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may exhibit which of the following that distinguishes them from students with other disabilities?
- Consistent and predictable learning challenges present since birth
- Sudden change in functioning following an injury, with uneven skill profile and fatigue (Correct answer)
- Primarily genetic factors that explain academic difficulties
- Social communication deficits that have been present since early childhood
Correct answer: Sudden change in functioning following an injury, with uneven skill profile and fatigue
TBI results in acquired brain injury that causes a sudden change from the student's prior functioning, often creating an uneven skill profile where some abilities are preserved and others are significantly impacted.
Question 6: Sensory processing difficulties, restricted interests, and insistence on sameness or routines are characteristics often associated with which exceptionality?
- Dyscalculia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (Correct answer)
- Specific Learning Disability in Written Expression
- Other Health Impairment (ADHD)
Correct answer: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sensory sensitivities, intense/restricted interests, and need for routine and sameness are hallmark characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
FTCE ESE Characteristics of Exceptionalities 1
A student in your class consistently reverses letters, reads slowly with many decoding errors, and struggles with phonemic awareness despite average intelligence.
These characteristics are most consistent with: