Characteristics of Various Student Exceptionalities

There are six different categories of student exceptionalities. Those categories are: intellectual, communicative, sensory, behavioral, physical, or multiple. Intellectual exceptionalities are exceptionalities that include higher intelligence and students who are slow to learn. Communicative exceptionalities are prevalent in students with speech or language impairments. Students with sensory exceptionalities have auditory or visual disabilities. Behavioral exceptionalities are common in students who are emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted. Physical exceptionalities include students with orthopedic or mobility disabilities. Many students have multiple exceptionalities. Theses exceptionalities can impact student learning and achievement in many different ways. In any one average-sized classroom, the likelihood is that there will be 3 or 4 students with at least one exceptionality. A student who has intellectual exceptionalities may take longer to learn material or may need to be taught in a different way to learn the lesson. A student with communicative exceptionalities, certain attention may have to be given to the student to make sure they understand the material. Students with sensory exceptionalities may be blind or deaf. The student will have to learn other ways to learn by learning Braille and using it. Students with behavioral exceptionalities will need to be treated more sensitively in a way that will help them the most. Students with physical exceptionalities may have a difficult time using their motor skills so special adjustments may need to be made.