Orthopedic Impairment
Definition
An orthopedic impairment is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as “a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.” IDEA specifies that this term “includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly [birth defects], impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).” Put directly, orthopedic impairments involve physical disabilities which could affect the academic process.
Retrieved from: https://www.specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles/orthopedic-impairments/
Characteristics
The IDEA category of orthopedic impairments contains a wide variety of disorders. These can be divided into three main areas: neuromotor impairments, degenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. The specific characteristics of an individual who has an orthopedic impairment will depend on both the specific disease and its severity, as well as additional individual factors.
A neuromotor impairment is an abnormality of, or damage to, the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system that sends impulses to the muscles of the body. These impairments are acquired at or before birth, and often result in complex motor problems that can affect several body systems. These motor problems can include limited limb movement, loss of urinary control, and loss of proper alignment of the spine. The two most common types of neuromotor impairments are cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
Cerebral palsy refers to several nonprogressive disorders of voluntary movement or posture that are caused by malfunction of or damage to the developing brain that occurs before or during birth or within the first few years of life. Individuals with cerebral palsy have abnormal, involuntary, and/or uncoordinated motor movements. The four most common types of cerebral palsy include:
- Spastic (very tight muscles occurring in one or more muscle groups that result in stiff, uncoordinated movements)
- Athetoid (movements are contorted, abnormal, and purposeless)
- Ataxic (poor balance and equilibrium in addition to uncoordinated voluntary movement)
- Mixed (any combination of the types)
Spina bifida is a developmental defect of the spinal column. Spina bifida is characterized by an abnormal opening in the spinal column and frequently involves some paralysis of various portions of the body. It may or may not affect intellectual functioning. Spina bifida is usually classified as either spina bifida occulta or spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida occulta is a mild condition while spina bifida cystica is more serious.
Degenerative diseases are composed of various diseases that affect motor development. The most common degenerative disease found in the school population is muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness from degeneration of muscle fibers.
Musculoskeletal disorders are composed of various conditions that can result in various levels of physical limitations. Two examples of musculoskeletal disorders include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and limb deficiency
Retrieved from: http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/orthopedic-impairments/
Accommodations and Modifications
Where the majority of students with orthopedic impairments are concerned it is a matter of focusing on needed accommodations in the academic environment. As with many students with disabilities, classroom accommodations for students with orthopedic impairments vary depending on the individual and their particular needs. Because the majority of students with orthopedic impairments do not experience cognitive disabilities as well, an educator should collaborate with the student in relation to their curriculum as much as possible or needed.
For a student with orthopedic disabilities to access a generalized curriculum, an educator might be required to meet the following accommodations:
- Seating arrangements to develop useful posture and movements
- Instruction that is focused on development of gross and fine motor skills
- Ensuring suitable augmentative communication and other assistive devices
- Adequate awareness of the student's medical condition and its affect on the student
There are various specialists that may become involved, such as:
- Physical Therapists
- Additional Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Adapted Physical Education Teachers
- Screen reading software
- Speech recognition software
- Augmentative and alternative communication devices
- Academic software packages for students with disabilities
The devices these students use may include:
- Canes
- Crutches
- Wheelchairs
- Specialized exercise equipment
- Specialized chairs, desks or tables
Resources:
The primary focus of Disabled World is to provide information via our disability, health, medical, assistive products and world news including breaking news and information we receive from worldwide disability organizations and government departments, universities and educational institutions, as well as our in-house articles. Article: Children and Orthopedic Impairments https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/children/orthopedic-impairments.php
Project IDEAL (Informing and Designing Education for All Learners) is a project of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. This site includes teaching modules, videos, articles, and activities as part of a teacher preparation program intended to better prepare teachers to work with students with disabilities.
Webpage: Orthopedic Impairments http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/orthopedic-impairments/
SpecialEducationGuide.com is a resource for parents and educators with articles explaining terminology, procedures and best practices in special education. Topics covered include early intervention to ISFPs; IEPs and RTI, inclusion, classroom and behavior management; disability profiles for each category under IDEA and a Special Education Dictionary to master “SPED” jargon. Article: Orthopedic Impairments https://www.specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles/orthopedic-impairments/
Article: Orthopedic Impairments and Special Needs Students, https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-orthopedic-impairment-2162506
Video:
Muscular Dystrophy is Just Part of Their Lives - The Markell Family - Our Special Life (6 min), http://www.projectreachonline.org/descriptions?article_id=77
BRIEF FACT SHEETS: A legacy resource from NICHCY: ORTHOPEDIC DISABILITIES
Cerebral Palsy Fact Sheet
Spina Bifida Fact Sheet
Physical Disability Fact Sheet
Retrieved from: http://www.projectreachonline.org/descriptions?article_id=77