Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Special Education Practice Exam

Which of the following disabilities could result in challenges with transferring learned skills to new contexts?

1. Learning Disabilities

2. Mild Intellectual Disabilities

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder

4. Emotional Impairment

The correct answer is: Mild Intellectual Disabilities

Mild intellectual disabilities can lead to challenges with transferring learned skills to new contexts because individuals with these disabilities often have limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors. This can affect their ability to generalize knowledge and apply learned skills to different situations or environments. For instance, a student might learn how to complete a task in a familiar setting, but may struggle to adapt that skill when faced with a new context or different prompts. The cognitive processing involved in making those connections is often more challenging for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities, which can hinder their overall ability to generalize their skills effectively. While learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and emotional impairments can also create difficulties in skill transfer for various reasons, the specific cognitive and adaptive limitations associated with mild intellectual disabilities make them particularly significant when considering skill generalization.