Orthopedic Impairments

Definition: Orthopedic impairment occurs when an orthopedic disability adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The impairments include the effects of congenital anomalies, effects of disease, and other causes. Orthopedic impairments can be classified into three different categories; neuromotor impairments, degenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. Neuromotor impairments are caused by damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. It sends impulses through the body that cause complex problems in multiple body systems. The two most common impairments are spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Degenerative diseases effect motor development. The most common disease is muscular dystrophy. This is caused by progressive muscle weakness from muscle fibers degenerating. Musculoskeletal disorders compose of many different impairments that occur in different levels of physical limitations. These may include the loss of limbs and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. According to the US Department of Education, approximately 1.1% of children receiving special education services where because of orthopedic impairments. Orthopedic impairments may be acquired at or before birth, inherited, or be caused by accidents.

Implications: Teaching students with orthopedic impairments can be very challenging. I plan to teach first, second, or third grade. At this age, the students may still be trying to become accustomed to their impairment. For the student, I would first meet with them and their parents to find what they may have difficulty with. Depending on what impairment the student may have, different adaptations will need to occur. First, special seating arrangements may need to be assigned due to assistive devices or different body contractures. For impairments of the upper extremities, students may need lectures or instructions tape recorded. Desks, blackboards, sinks, and workstations may need to be lower for wheelchairs. Students may need extra time for tests or timed quizzes due to slower writing time. For breaks and classroom changes, the student may need extra time to get from one area to the next.

Specific Technology:

Tape Recorder: To record lectures and instructions for students that may write slower

Computer: Can be used for students that may need extra time for writing or research

Walker: Can be used to help students walk or balance

Cane: Can be used with balance or instability issues

Crutches: Can be used for keeping weight off of limbs or for missing limbs

Splints/Braces: Cab be used to stabilize joints due to weak muscles

Annotated Bibiliography:

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2009). Your Orthopedic Connection. How to Use Crutches, Canes, and Walkers. Retrieved May 8, 2009, from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00181.

This website gave some examples of different assistive devices that may be used with orthopedic impairments. The academy put together some instructions on how to use all the different types.

Keller, Ed. (2005). Strategies for Teaching Students with Motor/ Orthopedic Impairments. Introduction. Retrieved May 8, 2009 from http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/motor.html.

This article gives great ideas on how to teach students with different orthopedic impairments. There are examples for reading, instruction, and teacher presentation.

National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education. (2007). Exceptional Children and Disability Information. Orthopedic Impairments. Retrieved May 8, 2009, from http://www.napcse.org/exceptionalchildren/orthopedicimpairments.php.

This association put together a website of information about all kinds of disabilities. The orthopedic impairments section contains a brief description and an extensive list of different types of impairments.

Purchase Line School District. (2009). Orthopedic Impairment. General Explanation. Retrieved May 8, 2009 from http://www.plsd.k12.pa.us/HighSchool/FineArts/Special%20Needs/musicclassroom/orthopedic_impairment.htm.

This district put together a useful resource for orthopedic impairments. It not only gives a brief explanation, but also possible different adaptations to the classroom.

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. (2008). Project Ideal. Orthopedic Impairment. Retrieved May 8, 2009 from http://www.projectidealonline.org/orthopedicImpairments.php.

Project Ideal (informing and designing education for all learners) composed an article for teaching students with orthopedic impairments. It discusses the definition, characteristics, and different teaching strategies.