|
Mike likes to go to school. But he can’t read and write as well as
other kids. Mike will always have to depend on other people for some
things. But he has learned how to take care of himself at school. And he
has lots of friends there.
What it is
Students with moderate cognitive impairments have about one-third to
one-half normal intelligence.
Such students often do well on rote learning tasks, but they don’t have
the ability to process abstract information or relate what they learn to
other situations. They go through the same developmental steps as any
other youngster, but they do it at a slower rate. They never reach normal
levels of maturity.
Student Eligibility
To be identified as a student with a moderate cognitive impairment, he
or she must perform significantly below average on a standardized
intelligence (IQ) test.
-
There also must be a lack of development, primarily in the thinking
processes.
-
The student must also be impaired in their ability to adapt their
behavior.
-
And, unsatisfactory school performance must not be based on social,
economic or cultural factors.
Services Available
The Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) operates three center
programs to serve the students with moderate cognitive impairments. Two of the centers, Bovenschen
School and Peters School, offer classroom training and other
special education services. Such services include: physical and
occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical education, school social
work and psychological and school nursing services. Most students enrolled
in these schools are between three and 20 years of age.
The other center program, the Lutz School for Work Experience,
offers students a variety of personal and vocational skill opportunities.
It is for older students with moderate cognitive impairments, to help prepare
them for work in a sheltered employment situation.
Warren Consolidated School District and
Lake Shore Public Schools also
offer programs for moderately cognitively impaired students. These programs
serve youngsters between 5 and 20 years of age.
Program Location
Bovenschen School
located in Warren, serves students in the
southern part of Macomb County.
Peters School, located in Clinton Township, is for students in the
central and northern parts of the county.
The Lutz School for Work Experience, also in Clinton Township,
serves students from across the county.
Warren Consolidated Schools program for trainable mentally impaired
students is located at at Hatherly Elementary and Flynn Junior High.
Lake Shore Public Schools program is located at Rodgers Elementary,
Kennedy Middle and Lake Shore High School.
Where can I get more information?
Additional information about testing procedures, available services,
program design, – in fact, anything you may be curious about, is
available from your local school district
Department of Special
Education.
|
