Services for Children With Cognitive Disabilities

Eligibility

Cognitive Disability (CD) services are for students who exhibit significant delays in measured intelligence, adaptive functioning, and academic functioning.

The current eligibility criteria for cognitive disabilities under state law is found at PI 11.36 (1), Wis. Admin. Code. Requirements related to the need for special education are at PI 11.35, Wis. Admin. Code.

• CD Criteria Evaluation Guide (08/02)
• eligibility criteria checklist - Word Fillable - Spanish-Fillable
• CD Powerpoint Presentation
• Comparison Chart for Wisconsin Eligibility Criteria for CD
• Resource List (Adaptive Behavior Evaluation Tools)
• Need for Special Education - Sample Form

Programming

Students with CD are educated using a variety of educational program options according to the individual needs of each student. These may include self-contained programming, individual and small group programming in regular/special education classrooms and through cooperative/collaborative teaching arrangements between regular and special education teachers.

The statewide child count data as of October 2011, indicated that there were approximately 9,109 students with CD as their primary disability.

Training

Autism and Cognitive Disabilities (CD) Program Support Teacher (PST) Meeting
Please pass on information about the DPI Fall Autism/CD PST meeting to any Program Support Teachers in your area. The meeting will be on September 22nd from 7:30 AM-2:30 PM at the DeForest Comfort Inn and Suites. Our guest speaker will be Michelle Garcia-Winner who is an internationally recognized authority on Social Thinking and Social Skills. The afternoon session will include DPI updates including information about seclusion and restraint as well as information about alternate assessment, Essential Elements, and Dynamic Learning Maps.

Registration is free. To register, participants must hold a position as a Program Support Teacher or similar role in a district or CESA in Wisconsin. Registration for PST meetings is completed through PST distribution email lists at DPI which were sent out in the last few weeks. If you know of PSTs in your area who have not received this email, please ask them to contact Daniel Parker, Autism Consultant, at DPI (608) 266-5194. Daniel.parker@dpi.wi.gov to be placed on the registration distribution list.

Resources

The 4th Annual Cognitive Disabilities Conference, Creating the Good Life: Improving Outcomes for Students with Cognitive Disabilities, August 11-12, 2010, in Madison, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Adaptive Skills Resource Guide

For questions about this information, contact the Special Education Team 608-266-1781.

For questions about this information, contact Erin Faasuamalie (608) 266-1785

Last updated on 10/12/2011 2:47:28 PM