Importance of Maintaining Mathematical Skills for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: Spotlight on Practice: Content Instruction for Students With Disabilities

Abstract

Maintenance of mathematical skills is important, as these skills are needed for daily living as well as for advancement to more complex mathematical content. However, existing reviews of the literature regarding mathematics and students with developmental disabilities tend to only highlight students’ mathematical skill acquisition. We reviewed all studies from 1975 to 2018 that involved teaching mathematics to individuals with developmental disabilities. 128 studies met inclusion criteria, but only 46 involved a maintenance phase (35.9%). Of the studies that included a maintenance phase, there was no consensus on the standards for conducting a maintenance phase. All studies employed intervention packages, and the most widely used instructional method was prompting, while the most widely used instructional materials were visual supports.

Authors

• Jiyoon Park, Michigan State University

• Emily Bouck, Michigan State University