Review of Criteria for the EAP Disability Category of Intellectual Impairment (II) 2009 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

Review of Criteria forthe EAP Disability Category

ofIntellectual Impairment

(II)

2009

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Education Adjustment Program

Key Issues

• Terminology

• Definition

• Criteria

• Form

• Professional practices


Terminology and Definition

The terminology and definition of II were considered together to ensure they are clear, current, in line with other educational jurisdictions and fit within the ICF framework for disability adopted by the department for the EAP.


Existing Definition (until 26 June 2009)

The department currently uses the DSM-IV-TR (2000) definition of Intellectual Impairment (Mental Retardation) for entry to the category of Intellectual Impairment.


Revised Definition (from 29 June 2009)

• Intellectual impairment is characterised by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This impairment originates before age 18. (Adapted from AAIDD, 2002)

• The student’s identified level of functioning results in activity limitations and participation restrictions at school requiring significant education adjustments


Definition – 5 Assumptions

1. Limitations in present functioning must be considered within the context of community environments typical of the individual’s age peers

2. Valid assessment considers cultural and linguistic diversity as well as differences in communication, sensory, motor, and behavioural factors

3. Within an individual, limitations often coexist with strengths


Definition – 5 Assumptions

4. An important purpose of describing limitations is to develop a profile of needed supports

5. With appropriate personalised supports over a sustained period, the life functioning of the person with intellectual impairment generally will improve


Terminology and Definition

Outcome:

• Change from DSM IV TR to AAIDD

• No change to the title of the category

• No change to the intent


Revised Criteria (from 29 June 2009)

• There will now be two criteria for identifying students in the disability category of II

• These relate to the identified impairment (criterion 1) and the associated activity limitations and participation restrictions (criterion 2)


Revised Criteria (from 29 June 2009)

Criterion 1 Impairment

+

Criterion 2 Activity limitations/ participation restrictions

=

Disability


Criterion 1

1a. Significant limitations in intellectual functioning

1b. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour

1c. The impairment originates before 18 years of age


Criterion 1a

Evidence: Significant limitations in intellectual functioning

• Scores obtained from current individually administered psychoeducational assessments are at least two standard deviations below the mean, considering the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) for the specific assessment instruments used and the instruments’ strengths and limitations


Criterion 1a

• Where formal psychoeducational assessment is not possible or not appropriate, then relevant information needs to be provided from a range of contexts, to support the presence of significant limitations in intellectual functioning


Criterion 1b

Evidence: Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour

• Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour are operationally defined as performance that is at least 2 standard deviations below the mean of either:


Criterion 1b

• one of the following three types of adaptive behaviour: conceptual, social, or practical,

or

• an overall score on a standardised measure of conceptual, social, and practical skills


Criterion 1b

• Limitations in adaptive behaviour are determined by using a broad range of assessment methods across a range of sources and settings


Criterion 1c

Evidence: The impairment originates before 18 years of age


Criterion 2

• The student’s identified level of functioning results in activity limitations and participation restrictions at school requiring significant education adjustments


Criterion 2

Evidence:• The student’s level of functioning is

significantly below peers• Programs and adjustments in areas of

need that have been implemented and the achieved outcomes

• Programs and adjustments that need to be maintained (wholly or partially) to address the educational needs


Criteria

Outcome:

Change to the criteria

• There will now be two criteria

• Criterion 1 – the impairment

• Criterion 2 - the activity limitations and participation restrictions


Verification Form (EAP VER 5)

The II verification form was revised to ensure it serves as an effective tool for:

– incorporating changes to the criteria and collating the required verification information

– facilitating consistency in decision making at all levels regarding the criteria



• PART A: Student details• PART B: Evidence Supporting Verification

– Evidence for criterion 1(impairment) • similar to previous form

– Evidence for criterion 2 (activity limitations and participation restrictions)

• common form

– Profession specific quality assurance and decision making

• PART C: Principal request


Outcome:

• No change to the intent

• Change to the format for reporting

• Section 2: Medical Diagnosis - has been removed



Professional Practice

The revised criteria and forms are designed to promote best practice in assessment, interpretation and reporting with educational programming in mind.


Professional Practice

• Developmental/medical/social/emotional/ behavioural/language/cultural and environmental factors

• Assessment history• Educational history/interventions• Educational implications/adjustments required• Where appropriate, exclude other possible

diagnoses

(Adapted from Mental Retardation - Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports AAMR 10th Edition, Chapter 6)


Key Issues

NOTE: The outlined changes are not anticipated to impact on the cohort of students identified in the disability category of II.


Further Information

EAP Websitehttp://education.qld.gov.au/students/disabilities/adjustment/

Gateway to Educational Adjustments and Programming

http://elearn.eq.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

Gateway Registration Informationhttp://education.qld.gov.au/lpas/public/community/ViewCommunity.aspx?CommunityId=2862

Review of Criteria for the EAP Disability Category of Intellectual Impairment (II) 2009 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

Documents

department of education

intellectual functioning

disability slide

criteria criterion

strengths slide

settings slide

training slide

intent slide