On October 5, 2010 President Obama signed into effect “Rosa’s Law”. Rosa’s Law was a bill that legally changed the term mental retardation in all federal applications to intellectual disability. This bill was supported by many parents and advocates due to the fact that the term mental retardation had such an offensive association. Rosa’s Law became the shifting point between a previously negative connotation and depiction, to a more positive and accepted term.
The study and awareness of intellectual disabilities did not always have such profound support. Research and interest on intellectual disabilities first began in the 19th century where the focus was simply on caring for those individuals in their homes and communities. By the 20th century, …show more content…
These modern researchers were able to provide a new approach towards researching those individuals with intellectual disabilities. With this open mind set and new information, major changes were quickly able to be made regarding the stigma surrounding individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as their care and education. In 1961, the term mental retardation was created to describe these individuals with such disabilities in a more appropriate manner. By the 1970’s it was established that children with intellectual disabilities were entitled to a free appropriate public education and that the definition of mental retardation was a measured IQ of two standard deviations below the mean. Finally, in the 1990’s educators began shifting their focus towards incorporating life and vocational skills into their curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities. By 2002, the American Association of Mental Retardation (AMMR) replaced the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. President Obama proceeded this changing the term on a federal level with signing Rosa’s Law in 2010. IDEA …show more content…
Due to this said spectrum, the generalized characteristics can be broken down into seven different categories which include cognitive, academic, social, behavioral, emotional, physical, and medical. From a cognitive perspective, an individual can only be potentially diagnosed if their IQ score is 2 standard deviations or more below the average score of 100. If an individual’s IQ score is between 55 – 69 they are considered to have a mild intellectual disability. An IQ score of 40 – 54 is considered a moderate intellectual disability, whereas a score of 25 – 39 is severe. Lastly, any score below 25 is a profound intellectual disability. Aside from an IQ assessment, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) offers alternative and multidimensional classification systems that assess a variety of other life factors. Intellectual abilities are first assessed through intelligence tests. Adaptive behaviors are analyzed through age appropriate activities while one’s health is analyzed through mental and physical assessments. An individuals’ participation at home, school, work, and in the community is also assessed through observation. Lastly, aspects of an individual’s personal and environmental life should be observed and assessed. The cognitive level of an individual would effect the results of these
The study and awareness of intellectual disabilities did not always have such profound support. Research and interest on intellectual disabilities first began in the 19th century where the focus was simply on caring for those individuals in their homes and communities. By the 20th century, …show more content…
These modern researchers were able to provide a new approach towards researching those individuals with intellectual disabilities. With this open mind set and new information, major changes were quickly able to be made regarding the stigma surrounding individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as their care and education. In 1961, the term mental retardation was created to describe these individuals with such disabilities in a more appropriate manner. By the 1970’s it was established that children with intellectual disabilities were entitled to a free appropriate public education and that the definition of mental retardation was a measured IQ of two standard deviations below the mean. Finally, in the 1990’s educators began shifting their focus towards incorporating life and vocational skills into their curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities. By 2002, the American Association of Mental Retardation (AMMR) replaced the term mental retardation with intellectual disability. President Obama proceeded this changing the term on a federal level with signing Rosa’s Law in 2010. IDEA …show more content…
Due to this said spectrum, the generalized characteristics can be broken down into seven different categories which include cognitive, academic, social, behavioral, emotional, physical, and medical. From a cognitive perspective, an individual can only be potentially diagnosed if their IQ score is 2 standard deviations or more below the average score of 100. If an individual’s IQ score is between 55 – 69 they are considered to have a mild intellectual disability. An IQ score of 40 – 54 is considered a moderate intellectual disability, whereas a score of 25 – 39 is severe. Lastly, any score below 25 is a profound intellectual disability. Aside from an IQ assessment, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) offers alternative and multidimensional classification systems that assess a variety of other life factors. Intellectual abilities are first assessed through intelligence tests. Adaptive behaviors are analyzed through age appropriate activities while one’s health is analyzed through mental and physical assessments. An individuals’ participation at home, school, work, and in the community is also assessed through observation. Lastly, aspects of an individual’s personal and environmental life should be observed and assessed. The cognitive level of an individual would effect the results of these