The purpose of this case study was to observe the condition of teacher-perceived ability to recognize giftedness in children in one elementary school. Experiences of 16 teachers of Grades 2–5 (the grades served by the gifted education program) were examined by responding to a questionnaire to determine their history with gifted education, definition of giftedness in children, and involvement in the gifted child referral process. Existing data were examined to determine which of the teachers had accurately identified gifted children. The 3 teachers who had accurately identified a gifted child were interviewed. Questionnaire and interview responses were analyzed in the context of Clark’s (2002) Cognitive Function Differentiating Characteristics of Gifted Learners. Results of the study showed that teachers in this school did not receive adequate pre-service or in-service training in recognition of the gifted population. The study revealed that in this elementary school, students who did not meet a teacher’s preconception of the term giftedness went unreferred for gifted testing. The process of selection used by teachers when considering a student for referral was subjective in nature and influenced by classroom observations, other teachers’ opinions, and the teachers’ personal experiences with giftedness outside of classroom practices. Data suggest that confidence and accuracy in referring students were positively influenced by years of teaching experience. Recommendations include the following: that colleges and universities prepare pre-service teachers to identify characteristics of gifted children; that in-service teachers receive professional development in identification of gifted traits in students; and that federal legislation include language that provides for the special needs of gifted students and mandates training for pre-service teachers in meeting the needs of this population.

The Assessment of Risk and Manageability in Intellectually Disabled IndividuaLs who Offend (ARMIDILO) was developed to address the need for assessment tests specifically designed for intellectually disabled (ID) individuals who offend. This is the first study focusing on the application of the ARMIDILO by using comparative current risk assessment tests to evaluate the ARMIDILO as an effective risk assessment tool. In this research 16 ID people who have recorded sexual and or violent behaviour offences were evaluated using the Violent Offender Risk Assessment Scale (VORAS), Static-99 and ARMIDILO risk assessment tests. The ARMIDILO, VORAS and Static-99 assessments were completed using individual history files kept within the Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service. The VORAS and Static-99 were adapted to incorporate reported, but not charged or otherwise litigated offences and convictions. The adapted tests were then compared against the ARMIDILO as a risk assessment tool. Analysis of the ARMIDILO showed strong validity in assessing ID people who offend. The main strength of the ARMIDILO is in identifying the risk needs of the ID person who offends and may be an effective management test when used in assessing individual needs and program implementation. Risk assessment through the ARMIDILO showed similar results to Static-99 but compared only moderately with the VORAS in measuring the risk of re-offending. Future research with a larger population may further validate the reliability of the ARMIDILO as an assessment tool. Adaptation of the current score sheet for use by non-clinical and correctional staff may prove cost effective.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Educationis (Education) in the Faculty of Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / The aim of this qualitative study was to assess the influence of a particular form of computer technology on the reading ability of intellectually challenged learners. The study sought to answer the questions: (i) what direction for change does the reading of intellectually impaired learners take when a particular assistive technological device is used as a teaching-learning tool? And, (ii) what can educators of these intellectually impaired learners learn from this change or lack thereof? In order to answer these questions the study was conducted using an Action Research design. An intervention based on assistive technology was used for (i) testing learner abilities; and (ii) measuring performance and possible change(s). A comparison of learners’ performance and effort following testing suggests that the assistive technology used has the potential to positively influence the reading ability of some segments of learners with an intellectual impairment. Furthermore, the findings make it clear that assistive technology does not take away the need for teachers to differentiate where a variety of learner abilities is concerned.

This study explores the learning, and specifically literacy learning, of intellectually disabled adolescent students. Factors that have influenced this learning throughout the adolescent's education are identified. Nineteen case studies of the literacy development of adolescent students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities were developed through observations in their classrooms, and of related activities. The results of the study show that there were three main influences on literacy development for these students. These were the unique nature of the learner, home and family factors and the impact of school on the literacy learning of these students from their early learning and through their years of formal education. This research adds to the current research on the learning of adolescent students with intellectual disabilities by looking specifically at literacy development and using qualitative approaches to search within and beyond the classroom for issues which affect their learning.Practitioners in education and in the care of disabled children can use the study's findings to build a framework of knowledge to develop appropriate educational placements, programs and support for learning by drawing on significant aspects of the child's personal, social and educational development. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This work explores human consciousness, using a framework of the Structure of Feelings and Experience developed from the work of Raymond Williams and Bernard Smith. It then examines aspects of the consciousness of the Mentally Ill, the Intellectually Disabled, Addicted and Indigenous people, with three aims: 1/. To identify a model of consciousness which reflects the major indicators arising from the structure of feelings and experience, and those arising from consideration of the four subject groups, representing the plurality of human consciousness. 2/. To explore some of the lessons for mainstream citizens, arising from alternative aspects of consciousness, both positive and negative, which these groups exhibit. 3/. To suggest ways the model of consciousness can be used to empower those with mental illness, or intellectual disability, by acknowledging and strengthening their opportunities to take responsibility for their lives. By engaging them more in active roles in the planning and delivery of their health, rehabilitation and community services. And to illustrate some examples of practical applications of person-valuing and spirit-engaging healing and empowering processes, used in groups in Australia and overseas, which point to ways of improving health and rehabilitation policy and practice in Australia / Master of Arts (Hons)

The general aim of the thesis is to show how The Situational Language Intervention Programme (SLIP) was formulated in order to include the critical factors of: the cognitive abilities and linguistic characteristics of the intellectually handicapped; pragmatics, semantics and syntax and the four models of language acquisition; the criteria that guide language intervention programme development; the use of precise and systematic teaching methods that stimulate the use of language in the students' environment. The general objective of both SLIP and this thesis is to show how to increase moderately to severely intellectually handicapped adolescents' language-communication through the appropriate use of the forms of language applied to its functions in a specific range of situations. Chapter Two of the thesis is concerned with the cognitive abilities of intellectually handicapped people and the implications of intellectual handicap on communication and language development. In addition it discusses, stage by stage, the positive and negative markers of language acquisition. These markers illustrate to the teacher the signs of linguistic retardation at each stage of language learning. The contents of Chapter Three provide an outline of the four models of language acquisition, i.e. Pragmatic, Semantic/Cognitive, Psycholinguistic/Syntactic and Behavioural. Those models contribute to our understanding of how language develops and illustrate to us the complex nature of language acquisition. In addition, this discussion documents the past and current research viewpoints and draws our attention to the limitations that existing theories have in providing a "full�blown" model of language acquisition. Furthermore, Chapter Three is stating that the recent analysis of language-training for communication disordered and intellectually handicapped students has shown that a more balanced study of the semantic and pragmatic factors in language acquisition is emerging. This chapter is urging teachers to re-analyze, re-evaluate and modify their language intervention programmes by integrating the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic factors. Both the contents of Chapters Two and Three are demonstrating that it is necessary to address the theoretical viewpoint and academic findings both of which are important aspects of the role of the interventionist. They have to be addressed if the teacher is to make judgments concerning the efficacy of different models in attaining certain goals. Such factors govern the utilization and integration of certain approaches and procedures. The contents of Chapters Four and Five discuss how the language interventionist can lead the intellectually handicapped student into increased language usage and communicative competence. Chapter Four is concerned with the current critical issues and developments in: curriculum and programme design for the moderately/severely intellectually handicapped adolescent; criteria to guide programme development and direction of language intervention; direct instruction techniques; augmentative communication systems and their basic programme guidelines. Chapter Five outlines the framework of the Situational Language Intervention Programme (SLIP) which was designed and implemented by the author. The content and procedures utilized by SLIP are greatly influenced by the contents of Chapters Two, Three and Four. This influence is demonstrated in the discussion concerning SLIP's: aims and objectives; content and design decisions; selection of forms to be taught; sequencing; teaching procedures and methods of instruction. Chapter Five also discusses the implementation of SLIP.

Little research has been conducted focusing on parent training strategies aimed at teaching parents with an intellectual disability to implement strategies to decrease their child's problem behaviour and increase appropriate behaviours. This study aimed to do two things. First, to examine the effectiveness of an enhanced assessment-based BPT intervention that was implemented by parents with an intellectual disability with children with problem behaviour. Second, the current study also aimed to test the effectiveness of the parent training package used to teach parents to implement the intervention strategies. Importantly, in an attempt to identify the training condition, or combination of conditions, most needed to achieve behaviour change, individual conditions of a multi-condition parent training package were additively introduced during parent training based on the degree of intrusiveness in the target routine combined with the amount of structure required by the teaching strategy. Five parents were taught to implement a functional assessment driven intervention plan aimed at increasing their child's appropriate behaviour and decreasing their problem behaviour during a valued family routine. In order to establish the combination of parent training strategies that were sufficient to teach parents to effectively implement the intervention plan, a series of parent training strategies were introduced in a planned way. The strategies included role-play, verbal instruction, verbal instruction plus feedback, coaching and video-feedback. Results showed that for all parents skill acquisition did not occur until the final phase, video-feedback. Successful implementation of the intervention resulted in a corresponding increase in child appropriate behaviour and decrease in child problem behaviour. In addition to that, parents rated the social validity and contextual fit of the intervention highly.

Background: Rehabilitation has emerged as a comprehensive approach with a combination of treatment modalities to address the multiple impediments associated with disabilities in intellectually disabled people. Rehabilitation is used to address intellectually disabled peoples’ skill deficits, to improve competencies and to facilitate optimal functioning within the goal of giving the greatest possible measure of social and economic participation, independence, self–reliance and self–determination to intellectually disabled people. The ongoing improvement of rehabilitation services in the public health system therefore remains a continuous challenge; hence the need for further research. Objective: The systematic literature review critically synthesizes and describes the available evidence of the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually disabled people. Method: Literature searches of different electronic databases as well as manual searches of references of primary studies were conducted using selected keywords. The total number of the studies identified from an electronic database search was 1 102. All titles and abstracts were screened for relevance and 40 studies were immediately excluded. From the remaining 1 062 studies, another 993 studies were excluded because they were not relevant to the rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. The abstracts and titles of the remaining 69 studies were screened for a second time to exclude studies not relevant to actual rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. Another two studies were excluded as duplicates. The remaining 67 studies were retrieved as full texts; of these, 40 studies were excluded due to them being written in a foreign language. After all abstracts and texts were thoroughly screened for true relevancy to the review question, a further 20 studies were excluded. The remaining seven full–text studies were selected for critical appraisal because they were relevant to the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually disabled people. Results: These identified studies have the potential to inform clinical practice on the basis of their evidenced interventions that resulted in the improvement of outcomes of rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. Improvement of skills was noted for mildly and moderately intellectually disabled people. Improvement was noted in activities of daily living (ADL), self–care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements. Conclusions: The study contributes to the comprehensive nursing care of intellectually disabled people by endorsement of the effectiveness of rehabilitation in terms of ADL, self–care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements. The collected evidence of this study may contribute to the education of more effective nurse practitioners involved in the daily care and rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Background: Rehabilitation has emerged as a comprehensive approach with a combination of treatment modalities to address the multiple impediments associated with disabilities in intellectually disabled people. Rehabilitation is used to address intellectually disabled peoples’ skill deficits, to improve competencies and to facilitate optimal functioning within the goal of giving the greatest possible measure of social and economic participation, independence, self–reliance and self–determination to intellectually disabled people. The ongoing improvement of rehabilitation services in the public health system therefore remains a continuous challenge; hence the need for further research. Objective: The systematic literature review critically synthesizes and describes the available evidence of the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually disabled people. Method: Literature searches of different electronic databases as well as manual searches of references of primary studies were conducted using selected keywords. The total number of the studies identified from an electronic database search was 1 102. All titles and abstracts were screened for relevance and 40 studies were immediately excluded. From the remaining 1 062 studies, another 993 studies were excluded because they were not relevant to the rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. The abstracts and titles of the remaining 69 studies were screened for a second time to exclude studies not relevant to actual rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. Another two studies were excluded as duplicates. The remaining 67 studies were retrieved as full texts; of these, 40 studies were excluded due to them being written in a foreign language. After all abstracts and texts were thoroughly screened for true relevancy to the review question, a further 20 studies were excluded. The remaining seven full–text studies were selected for critical appraisal because they were relevant to the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually disabled people. Results: These identified studies have the potential to inform clinical practice on the basis of their evidenced interventions that resulted in the improvement of outcomes of rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. Improvement of skills was noted for mildly and moderately intellectually disabled people. Improvement was noted in activities of daily living (ADL), self–care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements. Conclusions: The study contributes to the comprehensive nursing care of intellectually disabled people by endorsement of the effectiveness of rehabilitation in terms of ADL, self–care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements. The collected evidence of this study may contribute to the education of more effective nurse practitioners involved in the daily care and rehabilitation of intellectually disabled people. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.