ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENTS
DefinitionAn 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.
Primary CharacteristicsAs IDEA’s definition demonstrates, orthopedic impairments can stem from various causes. While most of the causes listed are fairly self-explanatory, “burns that cause contractures” warrants further explanation. The National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus Medical dictionary defines “contracture” as “a permanent shortening (as of muscle, tendon, or scar tissue) producing deformity or distortion.”
An evaluation is required for a disability to be classified as an orthopedic impairment. While the exact requirements for such an evaluation vary by location, this process generally includes a medical assessment performed by a doctor, detecting how the impairment may impact a child’s academic performance and observing the child in his or her educational atmosphere. Educational ChallengesConsidering the diversity in conditions that are embodied by the orthopedic impairments category, educational challenges will differ case by case, and the strategies used in each case should focus on a student’s unique needs. Possible academic barriers include:
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Accommodations & ModificationsModifications & Assisstive Technology
Although classroom modifications and accommodations will vary dependent on a student’s individual needs, the following list are some common needs. General classroom teachers and special educators should collaborate to include students with disabilities student in the general curriculum. To participate as fully as possible in educational activities, the student may require these accommodations:
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