KPA Supporting Students with Disabilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which approach is most supported by research for improving reading skills in students with dyslexia?
- Having the student read silently for extended periods each day
- Systematic, explicit phonics instruction (Correct answer)
- Providing audiobooks as the primary reading instruction
- Allowing the student to choose books of personal interest only
Correct answer: Systematic, explicit phonics instruction
Research strongly supports systematic, explicit phonics instruction as the most effective evidence-based approach for students with dyslexia.
Question 2: Which disability is specifically characterized by significant difficulties in social communication and interaction along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior?
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Correct answer)
- Emotional Disturbance
Correct answer: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by persistent challenges in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
Question 3: When a paraeducator uses hand-over-hand assistance to help a student with a physical disability complete a writing task, this is an example of which type of prompt?
- Verbal prompting
- Physical prompting (Correct answer)
- Visual prompting
- Gestural prompting
Correct answer: Physical prompting
Hand-over-hand assistance is a form of physical prompting in which the educator physically guides the student's movements through the task.
Question 4: A student with an intellectual disability is working on IEP goals related to money management and personal care. These goals fall under which category?
- Academic achievement goals
- Functional goals (Correct answer)
- Behavioral objectives
- Transition services
Correct answer: Functional goals
Life skills such as money management and personal care are functional goals addressing a student's ability to independently manage daily activities.
Question 5: Which of the following is a core characteristic of ADHD that commonly affects a student's classroom performance?
- Difficulty with social communication and nonverbal cues
- Challenges with sustained attention and impulse control (Correct answer)
- Severe deficits in reading decoding and phonological awareness
- Intense interest in specific topics with restricted behavioral patterns
Correct answer: Challenges with sustained attention and impulse control
ADHD is characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control, which directly impact a student's ability to perform in the classroom.
Question 6: A student who is deaf or hard of hearing may use which of the following as a primary mode of communication in the classroom?
- An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device
- American Sign Language (ASL) or visual communication systems (Correct answer)
- Text-to-speech software exclusively
- Braille materials
Correct answer: American Sign Language (ASL) or visual communication systems
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing often rely on American Sign Language or other visual communication systems as their primary communication mode.
Question 7: When working with a student with an emotional disturbance, which approach is most effective for preventing behavioral escalation?
- Applying immediate and firm consequences every time a behavior occurs
- Identifying triggers and implementing proactive strategies before behaviors escalate (Correct answer)
- Removing all academic demands until the behavior improves
- Isolating the student whenever challenging behaviors begin
Correct answer: Identifying triggers and implementing proactive strategies before behaviors escalate
Identifying triggers and implementing proactive strategies helps prevent escalation by addressing the antecedents of challenging behaviors before they occur.
KPA Supporting Students with Disabilities 2
Which approach is most supported by research for improving reading skills in students with dyslexia?