Characteristics of Exceptionalities Flashcards

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:

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.

Which characteristic is most commonly associated with students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

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.

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?

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.

Which of the following is a characteristic of students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD) as defined under IDEA?

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.

A student with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may exhibit which of the following that distinguishes them from students with other disabilities?

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.

Sensory processing difficulties, restricted interests, and insistence on sameness or routines are characteristics often associated with which exceptionality?

Answer: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sensory sensitivities, intense/restricted interests, and need for routine and sameness are hallmark characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder.