INTELLECTUAL EXCEPTIONALITIES MEANING

But pannel (2010) explained that Intellectual exceptional , referred to people characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability, from mild to profound. people struggled with communication disorder,language disorder, and speech disorder are all found in the category of intellectual exceptionalness.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization 1992) said that the term intellectual disability (ID) is increasingly being used instead of mental retardation. ID or mental retardation is defined as a condition of arrested or incomplete development of the mind, which is especially characterized by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period, which contribute to the overall level of intelligence, i.e., cognitive, language, motor, and social abilities, normally This disability originates before the age of 18.

BASIC AREAS AFFECTED BY INTELLECTUAL DISORDER

• Intellectual functioning.

Also known as IQ, this refers to a person’s ability to learn, reason, make decisions, and solve problem (intelligence quotient) is measured by an IQ test. The average IQ is 100, with the majority of people scoring between 85 and 115. A person is considered intellectually disabled if he or she has an IQ of less than 70 to 75.

• Adaptive behaviors.

These are skills necessary for day-to-day life, such as being able to communicate effectively, interact with others, and take care of oneself. To measure a child’s adaptive behaviors, a specialist will observe the child’s skills and compare them to other children of the same age. Things that may be observed include how well the child can feed or dress himself or herself; how well the child is able to communicate with and understand others; and how the child interacts with family, friends, and other children of the same age.

Causes of Intellectual Disability?

Intellectual disability can be caused by any condition that impairs development of the brain before birth, during birth or in the childhood years. The following are some causes of intellectual disability

• Genetic conditions These result from abnormalities of genes inherited from parents, errors when genes combine, or from other disorders of the genes caused during pregnancy by infections, overexposure to x-rays and other factors
• Problems during pregnancy Use of alcohol or drugs by the pregnant mother can cause intellectual disability. In fact, alcohol is known to be the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability. Recent research has implicated smoking in increasing the risk of intellectual disability. Other risks include malnutrition, certain environmental toxins, and illnesses of the mother during pregnancy
• Problems at birth Prematurity and low birth weight predict serious problems more often than any other conditions. Difficulties in the birth process such as temporary oxygen deprivation or birth injuries may cause intellectual disability.
• Problems after birth Childhood diseases such as whooping cough, chicken pox, measles, and Hib disease that may lead to meningitis and encephalitis can damage the brain, as can injuries such as a blow to the head or near drowning. Lead, mercury and other environmental toxins can cause irreparable damage to the brain and nervous system
• Poverty and cultural deprivation Children growing up in poverty are at higher risk for malnutrition, childhood diseases, exposure to environmental health hazards and often receive inadequate health care. These factors increase the risk of intellectual disability. Also, children in disadvantaged areas may be deprived of many common cultural and educational experiences provided to other youngsters. Research suggests that such under-stimulation can result in irreversible damage and can serve as a cause of intellectual disability.

symptoms of intellectual disorders

There are many different signs of intellectual disability in children. Signs may appear during infancy, or they may not be noticeable until a child reaches school age. It often depends on the severity of the disability. Some of the most common signs of intellectual disability are:

• Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking late
• Talking late or having trouble with talking
• Slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding himself or herself
• Difficulty remembering things
• Inability to connect actions with consequences
• Behavior problems such as explosive tantrums
• Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking

Therefore there are a great relationship between the intellectual disability to the communication disorder,language disorder and speech disorder as we said that the intellectual exceptional including people struggled with such kind of problems(communication,language and speech disorders) .Now let us look those disorders related to intellectual exceptionalness as one of categories of learners with special needs in education as explained below

COMMUNICATION DISORDER

A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication disorder may range in severity from mild to profound. It may be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate one or any combination of communication disorders. A communication disorder may result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities.

Difference between communication disorders ,language and speech disorder

Communication is the broadest category of them all (language and speech ). Communication includes spoken language but also includes many other non-verbal cues which are essential for interacting and communicating with others. It is common that if a child or adult has proper speech and language, also can still struggle with communication. This could take the form of not understanding sarcasm, gestures, or facial expressions which are also cues as to the meaning of what someone is trying to communicate to them. Therefore communication disorder is more base on how people can interpret the gesture , facial expression ( non verbal communication ) rather than spoken language.

LANGUAGE DISORDER

A language disorder is an impairment that makes it hard for someone to find the right words and form clear sentences when speaking. It can also make it difficult to understand what another person says. A child may have difficulty understanding what others say, may struggle to put thoughts into words, or both.

Pannel (2010) said that one among the earl signs of children struggle with language disorder is that parents may notice that their child’s vocabulary is very basic and their sentences are short, ungrammatical and incomplete. While his peers chat and tell jokes, your child may have trouble following the conversation and miss the jokes. He also may speak in two-word sentences and have trouble answering even simple questions.

Language disorders can either be acquired or developmental.

An acquired language disorder, like aphasia, shows up only after the person has had a neurological illness or brain injury. This could be a stroke or traumatic head injury. While developmental language disorder is much more common in children. Kids with developmental language disorders often start speaking later than their peers. This delay isn’t related to their intelligence level. In fact, kids with developmental language disorders typically have average or above-average intelligence. They usually have problems with receptive and expressive language skills before the age of 4

Difference between language disorder and speech disorder

It’s important to note that a language disorder is not the same as a hearing issue or a speech disorder. Children with language disorders typically have no trouble hearing or pronouncing words. Their challenge is mastering and applying the rules of language, like grammar. They aren’t simply “late talkers.” Without treatment, their communication problems will continue and may lead to emotional issues and academic struggles.

Types of language disorder

There are three kinds of language disorders.

• Receptive language involve difficulty understanding what others are saying. Students with a receptive language disorder have problems understanding oral language or in listening. They may have difficulties processing and retaining auditory information, and in following instructions and directions. Difficulties understanding what is said may be exacerbated in group discussions. Difficulties in answering questions may be related to a limited understanding of question forms. Students may have difficulties filtering out background noise and have difficulties with verbal reasoning.
• Expressive language involve difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas. Students with an expressive language disorder have problems using oral language or talking. The student’s understanding of language is likely to outstrip his/her ability to communicate with the spoken word. There may be a reticence to talk and students may resort to pointing or gesturing to get their message across.
• Mixed receptive-expressive language involve difficulty understanding and using spoken language. it diagnosed when a child has problems expressing him-or herself using spoken language, and also has problems understanding what people say to him or her.

Causes of language disorders

There are many different causes of learning disorders, so it is impossible to pinpoint just one. It is possible to differentiate between the causes depending on the chain of events that lead to the language problem, some of which are organic, which refers to any damage to the organs that play a fundamental role in language. We can break down organic causes into the following groups:

• Hereditary causes: When the language disorder is inherited from one or both of the parents
• Congenital causes: When the language disorder is caused by the use of prescription drugs or complications during pregnancy.

• Perinatal causes: Language disorders that originate during birth
• Postnatal causes: Language disorders that appear after pregnancy, like disorders due to premature birth.

Language disorders symptoms

There are various symptoms that can predict a possible language disorder, depending on the type of disorder and the affected area. We can, however, classify the general language disorders by discerning different symptoms.

• Symptoms of an expressive development disorder: You’ll see symptoms like an extremely limited vocabulary, difficulty memorizing words, or creating long sentences. This problem might become apparent when the child has a very limited vocabulary compared to others of his or her age. They may have a hard time learning new words, and they may confuse verb tenses. Look out for using general words (this, that, etc.), rather than the precise word. They may not talk very much, and they say things that don’t make sense, even though they’re able to pronounce the words well. The child might use a limited structure in their sentences and repeat the same sentences when they speak.

• Symptoms of Receptive language development disorder; Some common signs of an expressive language disorder in children are seeming disinterested when other people talk, trouble following directions or a hard time understanding what is being said.

• Symptoms of an expressive-receptive mixed language disorder:they struggled with e problems associated with reception of what other talking and difficulties in in expressing themselves example like understanding words or phrases and expressing them .

Management strategies for teachers and parents that will help support the special students with a language disorder (at preschool,school and/or home):

• Visuals (e.g. pictures, signs) can be used to help develop/aid
• An understanding of sentences is difficult for these students and often presents in the classroom with difficulties in following instructions and poor oral comprehension. Give simple directions in sentences to provide students with experiences in understanding sentences (e.g. ‘Put the book on the table’, etc). Have students repeat what they have heard to check understanding.

• Use a visual system incorporating signs and pictures to help with following directions.

• Provide extra time to complete tasks.
• Daily activities:Providing parents with interaction strategies to develop language that can be implemented during daily activities within the home.
• Motivating tasks: Using the child’s interests to help develop their language skills

SPEECH DISORDER

Speech sound disorder is a communication disorder in which children have persistent difficulty saying words or sounds correctly. Speech sound production describes the clear articulation of the phonemes (individual sounds) that make up spoken words. Speech sound production requires both the phonological knowledge of speech sounds and the ability to coordinate the jaw, tongue, and lips with breathing and vocalizing in order to produce speech sounds. Children with speech sound disorder may have difficulty with the phonological knowledge of speech sounds or the ability to coordinate the movements necessary for speech. These communication difficulties can result in a limited ability to effectively participate in social, academic, or occupational environments.

What differentiate the speech disorder from language disorder

most people confuse speech disorder with a language disorder, but they both are very different from each other. While language disorder inhibits your power of communicating by not correctly forming words and sentences, speech disorders deal with the actual production of the word or the sentence.

Types of speech disorder

• Articulation Disorders, Having an articulation disorder means that an individual cannot meaningfully arrange certain syllables or words. For some, an articulation disorder is when an individual has trouble saying certain words and sounds correctly. Lisping is considered to be an articulation disorder.

Examples: Instead of saying “Ramon,” a child might pronounce it as “Wamon.”

A child might say, “I want to thing and dance with Thally.” (“I want to sing and dance with Sally.”)

• Fluency Disorders When a person has trouble completing a word or repeats certain sounds, this is called a fluency disorder. Stuttering is a fluency disorder that impairs the flow of speech of an individual because it is disrupted by involuntary repetitions of sounds or syllables.
• Voice disorder: Voice disorder is characterized by the abnormal production and/or absences of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration, which is inappropriate for an individual's age and/or sex.

What are the Causes of Speech Disorders or Speech Impairment?

There can be several reasons why a person might be suffering from speech disorder or speech impairment. This can affect several parts of one’s body like vocal cords, nerves, muscles, etc. It becomes important to trace the causes which include: Problems with Vocal Cords: Your vocal cord might be a reason why you may be suffering from it. Vocal cord damage or vocal cord paralysis can often lead to imperfect speech. Polyps or nodules on the vocal cord can also be a reason behind speech disorders.

• Muscle Weakness or Respiratory Weakness: Weakness can also be an important factor when it comes to speech disorders. Muscle weakness or respiratory weakness can often lead to brain damage which, in turn, can lead to Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment.

• Developmental Disorders: People who suffer from developmental disorders or other kinds of medical conditions can also suffer from speech disorders. Medical conditions like autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), oral cancer, strokes, dementia, Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease can spur speech disorders in individuals.

• Genetics Factors: Some of the speech disorders can also be genetic. If you carry genes which can cause it and if it is a dominant gene then you might suffer from Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment.

Symptoms of Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment

Symptoms are the most effective way of determining if a person has a certain medical condition. The most common indication of speech disorder or speech impairment relates to problems in fluency of your speech. Here are some symptoms of Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment:

• Repeating Words: Repetition of words unnecessarily can be a symptom of speech disorder. Using extra words and sounds can be a symptom of Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment. There might also be tension in one’s voice or sound.

• Problems with Articulation: You might face some problems in articulation of your thoughts. Certain sounds or syllables might get distorted when you try to communicate. It might become difficult for you to express your thoughts in an understandable manner to the ones around.

• Pronunciation Problems: There are several phonological symptoms of Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment as well, which are associated with speech disorders. The first or the last sound of the words might be left out or changed completely. The patient might have a problem in pronouncing the same kind of sounds in other words.

• Voice Quality: There also might be problems with your voice. Your voice can turn hoarse or rough and it may break. The pitch is also affected if you are suffering from Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment. You may run out of air during mid-sentence. There might be issues with the control that you exercise over your voice, not producing the desired effect. It might be too loud or too soft.

How can teacher and parents help the special children with speech disorder

speech disorders or speech impairments might not need any treatment. Some can be cured with persistent exercises or adopting habits that help an individual to pronounce better or articulate better. Severe speech disorders, however, need treatment. The treatment usually depends on the type of the speech disorder. To be aware of the type of speech disorder one suffers from, one must know the type, cause and consequences the speech disorders or speech impairment might produce. Let us have a quick look at the treatment procedures that can help with Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment

• Speech Therapy & Language Therapy: You can take a child to speech therapy where you will be guided about the different exercises. These will help a child to strengthen the muscles in his or her face and throat. Strengthening their face and throat muscles will help them to exercise more control over their speech. The ’ll be mentored to control their breathing while talking.
• Practicing Pronunciation of Words: teacher should provide a specific time each day for these students to practice the proper pronunciation of the words and gradually pace their speech. Mark the words and sentences that are difficult for them to read and keep on practicing them.
• Perseverance: Recitation of small stories or speeches help students to get over their speech disorders . Teacher should ensure that students read the sentences loudly and slowly and make sure that they can concentrate on the sounds and the movement of the muscles related to the words. The key to such methods is patience and perseverance.

Conclusion communication disorder ,language disorder and Speech disorder or speech impairment are a common problems, which are faced by a lot of people. Parents don’t need to be ashamed because of it anymore. There are several treatments which are available and can help children struggled with these problems to solve their problem. These disorder can be caused due to hereditary reasons. Modern science and technology provide enough options to get rid of any speech irregularities or Speech Disorder or Speech Impairment as well as communication disorder . Communication therapy lessons and simple exercises can go a long way in doing away with children communication disorder. The first step must lie in the recognition of these disorders and the reason it stems from.