Physical Disabilities, Health Impairments and ADHD Other Health Impairment

Defintion

Physical disabilities can be defined as orthopedic and neurological which means neuro motor impairment that affects the ability to move, use, feel, or control the body. Health Impairments are defined in IDEA as limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health problems that adversely affect a child’s educational growth. However some students with ADHD are served under this definition, though many are served under to the categories as well particularly learning disabilities and emotional disturbance. Together these two disabilities categories represent 1% and 9.3% of all school age children receiving special education services respectively.

Teaching Implications

In today's classrooms, teachers are faced with an ever-increasing diversity of students. Included in this growing diversity are the diverse learning needs of a group of students who require services and instructional supports that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction. These are students who present physical and health-related disabilities and impairments Students with orthopedic impairments often have a team of individuals working together to meet their needs. The composition of the team can vary greatly. A typical team may be composed of the OI teacher, general education teacher, occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (OT), speech language pathologist (SLP), parents, student, and others.
The teacher certified in orthopedic impairments is trained to meet the needs of students with orthopedic impairments in the school setting. Teachers certified in orthopedic impairments have specialized knowledge & skills in such areas as:

1. Implications of the orthopedic impairment and how to meet the specific implications of the student's particular disorder in the school setting.
2. Specialized instructional strategies (e.g., teaching phonics to nonverbal students).
3. Specialized expanded curriculum areas (e.g., teaching student to use a piece of assistive technology, teaching a student to tube-feed independently).
4. Modifications and adaptations (e.g., modifying a test).
5. Assistive technology.


Technology
Assistive technologyHelp with independent living
IDEA and courts have clarified its role as a related service
IDEA does not cover medical services provided by physicians
Includes high-tech devices such as computers and wheelchairs
Includes low-tech devices such as communication booklets
Individualizing and creativity are important
Cutting edge technology includes:Rehabilitation engineering including bionics and robotics
Gait training laboratories
Voice activated systems

References
http://ada.osu.edu/resources/fastfacts/Medical_Mobility_Impairments
Ohio State University: Teaching Students with Medical/Mobility Impairments

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Disability/Health/health_faq.html
University of Washington Health Impairments FAQ (this is targeting university faculty, but it is applicable to high school as well)

http://specialed.about.com/od/physicaldisabilities/Physical_Disabilities.htm
Find out about the physical disabilities and how to educate students whose access to the curriculum is restricted primarily due to physical handicap

http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/topics/physical-disabilities.aspx
Articles on physical disabilities in the classroom

http://education.gsu.edu/physicaldis/mclass2.htm
An interesting checklist of Classroom Modifications For Students With Physical & Health Impairments