Physical Disabilities,

Health Impairments,
and ADHD
 Focus Questions
What are the categories of Physical and
Health Impairments? Describe each of them.
Enumerate the common types of physical
disabilities, health impairments and severe
disabilities. Describe each of them.
What are the suggested Educational
Approaches for Students with Physical
Disabilities and Health Impairments.

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Components of IDEA (Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act) Definitions

Severe Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

• Congenital abnormality - club foot, absence of a limb
• Impairments caused by disease - poliomyelitis, bone
tuberculosis
• Impairments by other causes - cerebral palsy, fractures,
burns
• Adversely affecting educational performance

Other Health Impairment (OHI)

• Limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute
health problems
• Asthma, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, diabetes,
epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, leukemia, sickle cell
anemia
• Adversely affecting educational performance

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Orthopedic Impairments
Cerebral Palsy
• A disorder of voluntary movement and posture
• Most prevalent physical disability in school age children
• No clear relationship between the degree of motor
impairment and degree of intellectual impairment (if any)
• Classified according to muscle tone and motor movement
– Spastic, Athetosis, Ataxia, Rigidity, Tremor, Mixed

Spina Bifida
• Congenital malformations of the brain, spinal cord, or
vertebrae
• Can result in paralysis below affected vertebra
• Hydrocephalic condition common; treated with a shunt
Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Orthopedic Impairments
Muscular Dystrophy
• Progressive weakening and degeneration of the muscles
• No known treatment exists to stop or reverse any form of
muscular dystrophy

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Caused by penetrating injury, fracture, stretching, or
compression of spinal cord
• Car accidents, sports injuries, and violence most common
causes
• Results in paralysis below affected vertebra
• Males represent 80% of traumatic spinal cord injuries

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Other Health Impairments

Seizure disorder (epilepsy)

• Caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain
• Three different categories based on severity
• Seizures can be controlled with medicine

Diabetes
• Chronic disorder of metabolism
• Body unable to obtain and retain adequate energy from food
• Type 2 diabetes the most common form
• Treated with insulin, diet, and exercise

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Other Health Impairments
Asthma
• Chronic lung disease resulting in a narrowing of airways
• Leading cause of absenteeism in school
• Causes are unknown but considered an interaction of heredity
and environment
Cystic Fibrosis
• Genetic disorder affecting pulmonary and digestive systems
• No reliable cure has yet been found
HIV and AIDS
• Breakdown in the immune system prevents the body from
fighting infections
• No known cure or vaccine exists

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Variables Affecting Educational
Performance
Factors that affect educational needs include

• Severity with which the condition affects different

areas of functioning
• Age of onset - children with congenital or
acquired impairments have different needs

• Visibility - the visibility of impairment may cause

some to underestimate the child’s abilities and limit
opportunities

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Educational Approaches
Students with physical disabilities or health
impairments may need intensive instruction in a
“parallel curriculum” to include
using adaptive methods and assistive technology for
mobility, communication, and daily-living tasks;
increasing independence by self-administering special
health care routines; and learning self-determination
and self-advocacy skills
Teaming often involves the collaboration of a
transdisciplinary team including physical and
occupational therapists, speech therapists, health care
aides, and other specialists who frequently provide
services to these students

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 What is the Parallel Curriculum Model?
The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM) is a unique method of organizing your lesson plans.
The PCM utilizes four main components to developing high quality lesson plans, these
are: Core, Connections, Practice, and Identity.

9 Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/00

 Educational Approaches (cont.)
Environmental modifications include
 Adaptations to provide increased access to a task
or an activity
 Changing the way in which instruction is delivered
 Changing the manner in which the task is done
 Examples of environmental modifications include
wheelchair accessible classrooms or other
assistive technology

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Educational Approaches (cont.)

Assistive technology
 IDEA defines assistive technology as assistive
technology devices and the services needed to
help a child obtain and effectively use devices
• Devices include any item, piece of equipment, or
product used to increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities
• Services mean any service that directly assists
with the selection, acquisition, or use of an
assistive technology device

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Educational Approaches (cont.)
Animal Assistance
Providing personal care attendants
Enhancing independence
Providing social values as companions

Special health care routines

• Individualized health care plan prescribes special health
related needs
• Importance of positioning, seating, and movement
○ Encourages the development of muscles and bones and
helps maintain health skin
• Lifting and transferring procedures
○ Prevents the development of pressure sores
○ Helps maintain proper seating and positioning
Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Educational Approaches (cont.)

Independence and Self-Esteem

Children need encouragement to develop
 A positive, realistic view of themselves and their physical
conditions
 As much independence as possible
 The ability to explain their physical disability or health
condition and to respond to questions
 Collaboration with self-help groups for people with similar
disabilities

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Related Services in the
Classroom
Controversial issues concerning including students with
physical impairments and special health care needs in general
education classrooms
 The extent of responsibility properly assumed by teachers
and schools

Acceptance is the most basic need of

children with physical disabilities and
health impairments

Heward
Exceptional Children, 10e
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.