Intelligence And Adaptive Behavior Paper

Meanings of Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior
Kevin Freeman
Grand Canyon University: SPE-553
September 3, 2013

The learning of new information and the mental ability for an individual to apply reasoning or calculation and perception of relationships defines one’s intelligence. Retrieving and storing information in the general mental capacity, as well as adjusting to language fluency is also perceived as intelligence. So, intelligence is not only the learning and understanding of new information but it is the adaptation to that information being presented. The intellectual disability of a student is determined by the limitations the individual has in their intellectual functioning. Mental retardation is a below average intellectual
The basic life skills of a child should be assessed first as these skills are most important to maintain a certain quality of life. These skills such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, grooming, and others should be assessed. The learning environment for these students should be predicated around these skills on a daily basis so they are implemented throughout the learning process. As these skills develop the students will be able to generalize these skills in their home environment. As an educator, it is easier for these students to grasp these skills if they are simplified in sequential steps that are measurable for the learner to understand each step accordingly. For example, the first step for a male student going to bathroom would be to unbutton his pants. Then after the duty is complete flushing the toilet and pulling up their pants. From their turning on the water from the sink, pressing the soap and scrubbing their hands properly are next. After washing their hands they should dry them with paper towels, throw the towels in the trash, then turn the light off when leaving the bathroom. These simple steps should be done at home also, so communicating these steps to their caregivers enhances the skill level of the child. These techniques should be monitored closely and consistency with them should prove increased confidence by each
The cognitive abilities of these students are affected due to the developmental delays. The complexity of information and reasoning skills are severely low and abstract reasoning is usually absent. Educators must be consistent and repetitive with instruction to over-emphasize the skill or concept being taught. Teacher attention to each individual student is essential during instruction as each student needs more attention than the average learner. The low attention span of these students may be addressed through adaptive behavior to enhance their learning. Different teaching strategies and techniques may help keep the students engaged in the lesson. As educators we need to gather as much information as we can on the child, including previous IEP’s, interviews, and data from previous teachers to gain a better understanding of the child’s disability. Along with that, teacher and parent communication, involvement, are necessary to implement daily life skills and to give the child a better quality of