Understanding Students with Physical Disabilities and Other Health Impairments

Defining Physical Disabilities IDEA uses the term orthopedic impairments, but educators typically use the term physical disabilities. Typically refers to a large group of students who experience conditions that are very different from each other The term may also be used to include with: – Severe and multiple disabilities – Traumatic brain injury Focus on two types of physical disabilities: – Cerebral palsy – Spina bifida

Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy A disorder of movement or posture due to damage in the brain Multiple Types – Spastic – Dyskinetic – Athetoid – Ataxic – Mixed Causes – Prenatal – Perinatal – Postnatal Other associated conditions – Possible intellectual disability – Speech/language problems – Vision impairments – Seizures

Characteristics of Spina Bifida Malformation of the spinal cord Three common forms – Spina bifida occulta – Meningocele – Myelomeningocele Causes – Occurs in early pregnancy due to environmental and genetic factors – Mothers using regular supplements containing folic acid reduce their risk – Other associated conditions Usually does not affect intelligence Depending on location of the defect, may cause incontinence or other urinary and bowel problems

Defining Other Health Impairments IDEA defines as chronic health problems those that have an adverse impact on educational performance Distinguished from severe and multiple disabilities, physical disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries May be: – Chronic: develops slowly and has long-lasting symptoms – Acute: develops quickly with intense symptoms that last a relatively short period of time.

Prevalence of Other Health Impairments In 2006, 595, 073 students (0.99%) of the ages 6 to 21 served under IDEA Of all students, 10 to 30% will experience a childhood chronic illness lasting three months or longer More than 200 specific health impairments exist

Characteristics of Epilepsy Characterized by seizures (abnormal electrical discharges in the brain) – Generalized seizures Tonic-clonic Absence – Partial seizures Simple partial Complex partial

Characteristics of Epilepsy Conditions associated with epilepsy – Most children have lower IQ and academic achievement – They are at risk for being diagnosed with AD/HD – Adolescents with epilepsy are reported to have higher levels of depression Causes – Approximately 40% of individuals with epilepsy have a genetic contribution – Environmental factors include: prenatal brain infections, birth trauma, and poisoning, stress, fatigue sleep deprivation – In three-fourths of individuals with epilepsy, the cause is unknown

Characteristics of Asthma Most prevalent chronic illness of children and leading cause of school absences Symptoms can vary widely – Mild intermittent – Mild persistent – Moderate persistent – Severe persistent

Characteristics of Asthma Conditions associated with asthma – Fatigue from waking during the night because of breathing difficulties – Absences from school due to symptoms – Fatigue and school absenteeism are associated with lower academic performance Causes – Asthma symptoms are triggered by food, exercise, cold air, respiratory infections, and environmental allergens, including cigarette smoke, dust, mold, gases and chemicals – Something asthma is an inherited condition

Determining the Presence of Physical Disabilities and Other Health Impairments Neuroimaging Prenatal screening – Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein – Fetal surgery

Determining the Nature of Specially Designed Instruction and Services School Function Assessment – Participation – Task supports – Activity performance

Partnering for Special Education and Related Services Health condition must adversely impact educational performance for an IEP Otherwise develop a 504 plan Components of the health care plan (Figure 12.7)

Planning for Other Educational Needs Adaptive PE Allows for students with disabilities to participate in a typical sport or physical activity Modified equipment – Beeping ball for student with visual impairment

Making Accommodations for Assessment Computer-based assessment Frequent breaks Scribe Physical access to testing environment Security concerns, test materials, and environmental controls