Scenario: At an IEP eligibility meeting, the team is review…
Scenario: At an IEP eligibility meeting, the team is reviewing the IDEA definition of intellectual disability. Different staff members highlight possible components: Mr. Allen: says eligibility requires evidence that the condition manifests during the developmental period. Ms. Rivera: insists that deficits in adaptive behavior are essential because they reflect how well a student manages daily life. Dr. Chen: adds that the condition must adversely affect educational performance to warrant services under IDEA. Mr. Thompson: suggests the law also requires evidence of subaverage communication deficits, since many students with intellectual disability struggle with speech and language. The facilitator asks: “According to IDEA, which of these is not explicitly listed as a required component in the legal definition of intellectual disability?” (2)