Physical Disabilities

Physical Disabilities Karly Strahley, Katherine Porcaro, Kayla Lin

What do you already know?

Physical Disabilities & Health Impairments • According to the IDEA, a severe orthopedic impairment adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by congenital anomaly (e.g. clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments caused by disease (e.g., bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures). (Heward 2013, pg. 380)

Physical Disabilities & Health Impairments Chronic Condition Acute Condition Limited time Produces severe symptoms For example, pneumonia, the disease will have symptoms but will not be long lasting • Long lasting disability • Usually results in need of special education • For example, cerebral palsy is a chronic condition, lasting a whole lifetime

Cerebral Palsy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4vogf1Ebzo “A disorder of voluntary movement and posture—is the most prevalent physical disability in school-age children. Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition resulting from a lesion to the brain or an abnormality of brain growth.” (Heward, 2014 pg. 382) • Lack of coordination, jerky movements, little or no control over their arms, legs, or speech, depending on type and degree of impairment • Can be treated, not cured, not fatal or contagious, and in the great majority not inherited

Treatment • Collaboration (doctors, teachers, parents, student, etc.) • Although most learn to walk, assistive devices may need to be used (wheelchairs, braces, and other devices) • Orthopedic surgery can help increase a child’s range of motion or remove permanent muscle contractions or hip dislocations)

Epilepsy • When seizures occur chronically and repeatedly • Not a disease, and it constitutes a disorder only while a seizure is in progress • About 3 million Americans have Epilepsy • Different types of seizures, such as an absence seizure, complex partial seizure, etc.) • During a seizure, a dysfunction in the electrochemical activity of the brain causes a person to lose control of the muscles temporarily

Epilepsy • Generalized tonic-clonic seizure: most conspicuous and serious type of seizure. Little or no warming of seizure, muscles become stiff, and loss of consciousness • Absence Seizure: less severe, occurs more frequently, may happen as often as 100 times a day • Complex Partial Seizure: also called psychomotor, may appear as a brief period of inappropriate or purposeless activity. Although may appear conscious, child may not be fully aware of her unusual behavior

Educational Approaches • Team including OT’s teachers, physicians, both in and out of school (being inclusive) • Children with physical disabilities both work in the general education classroom, as well as a special education classroom if needed • Assisted Technology

Tips for Teachers • Allow freedom to fail • Allow child to participate and be in activities • Correct errors as you would with any other student (don’t discriminate or pity) • Provide supports and scaffolding • Make materials in classroom easily accessible

Physical Disabilities