How I Taught a Woman with Down Syndrome to Read
I would like to share a demonstration video of me working with Jennifer, a 35ish year old woman with Down syndrome, who had never been taught to read. Jennifer was difficult to motivate. To address this, I was playful and made a game of it. We also alternated between...
Why Students with an Intellectual Disability Need Massive Amounts of Nonfiction Curriculum
Like all students diagnosed with an intellectual disability, Lily runs into a wall with reading comprehension. Once basic reading skills are obtained, which many students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities can learn, the next step is learning...
9 Strategies for Teaching Concepts to Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Concepts can be so difficult for students with an intellectual disability. They are abstract which makes them cognitively demanding. Take the concept of being deaf, for example. It seems simple, but there will be some students who do not fully understand it. When you...
How to Help Students with Intellectual Disabilities with Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is challenging for students with an intellectual disability (ID). The cognitive demands are often out of reach without significant support. Understanding the demands helps educators wrap their heads around the supports needed. Effective teaching...
