Children with physical disabilities are defined as those whose physical limitations or health problems interfere with school attendance or learning to such an extent that special services, training, equipment, materials, or facilities are required. Figures from the U.S. Department of Education (1994) indicate that over 200,000 students are being served under three special education categories related to physical disabilities:
orthopedic impairments (about 53,000)
other health impaired (about 66,000)
multiple disabilities (about 103,000)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Injury to the brain resulting in total or partial disability.
Cerebral Palsy: A condition characterized by paralysis, weakness, poor coordination, and/or other motor dysfunction; caused by damage to the brain before it has matured.
Seizure Disorders: Sudden alteration of consciousness, usually accompanied by motor activity and/or sensory phenomena; caused by an abnormal discharge of electrical energy in the brain.
Spina Bifida: A congenital midline defect resulting from failure of the bony spinal column to close completely during fetal development.
At least 80 percent of deaths from head trauma in children under the age of two years of age are the result of non accidental trauma
Teenagers, 14 to 19 years old, are most susceptible to sports and auto occupant accidents.
Preschoolers are the second highest risk group for brain injury
One of the most prevalent physical impairments in children.
Causes disorders of movement and posture.
Intellectual impairments may accompany CP. Studies show that about one third of the population with CP score below 70 on standardized IQ tests.
Disturbances of voluntary motor functions that may include paralysis, extreme weakness, lack of coordination, and involuntary convulsions.
May have little or no control over their arms, legs, or speech, depending on type and degree of impairment.
Muscular Dystrophy: A hereditary disease characterized by progressive weakness caused by degeneration of muscle fibers.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A systematic disease with major symptoms involving muscles and joints.
Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Adaptive Devices
Prosthesis:
Orthosis:
Adaptive devices:
Assistive technology means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children and youth with disabilities.
Existence
Communication
Body Support and Positioning
Travel
Environmental Adaptation
Learning
Sports and Leisure
Adaptations that allow access to the task.
Adaptations in how the teacher teachers the task
Adaptations in part or all of the tasks (i.e., alter the material, activity or curriculum)
The most common adaptations teaches make for students with physical disabilities is the first type: adapting access to the task which includes modifying response patterns, using adaptive devices, and employing people as assistants or partners.
Written Responses
Stabilization techniques
Writing on a pad rather than loose sheets
Placing a rubber strip on the back of a ruler or using a magnetic rule to prevent slipping using adhesive backed Velcro to attach items to a desk or wheelchair tray.
Modifying/Selecting Appropriate Materials
using pens and pencils that require less pressure.
twisting a rubber band around the shaft of the pen or pencil or slipping corrugated rubber,
a golf practice ball over the writing instrument to make it easier to hold
using an electronic typewriter, computer, etc..
using typing aids, such as a pointer stick attached to a head or mouthpiece to strike keys; a keyboard
guard that prevents striking two keys at once.
audio taping activities that require extensive writing