Diverse Student Populations: Physical Impairments

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Diverse Student PopulationsPhysical Impairments

• By Vicki Aldridge and
• Cassie Crowder

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What is a physical impairment?

• Physical impairments involve a wide variety of
  injuries, diseases, and chronic conditions that
  limit a persons ability to perform everyday
  activities.
• They include conditions such as cerebral palsy,
  seizure disorders, cystic fibrosis, asthma, limb
  abnormalities, brain injuries, etc.

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• Because of some physical condition, the students
  will not engage in typical activities or do them
  in the normal way.
• Some students will use wheelchairs or will have
  artificial body parts.
• Adaptive devices are available to help these
  individuals accomplish typical tasks.

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What parts of the body are involved?

• Any organ system may be involved, for example the
  brain or spinal column, bones, muscles, organs of
  respiration, digestion, or circulation.
• Some physical disabilities involve multiple organ
  systems.
• Physical impairments may be episodic or
  progressive, acute or chronic.

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Definition of Terms

• Episodic disabilities come and go.
• Progressive disabilities get steadily worse.
• Acute disabilities include a crisis in which a
  person may recover.
• Chronic disabilities are always present.

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Special Education?

• Many students with physical disabilities need
  little or no special education as their needs can
  be accommodated in a regular classroom.
• Students that have physical disabilities do not
  have other disabilities.
• Students that have cerebral palsy and seizure
  disorders are more likely to have conditions such
  as learning disabilities and mental retardation.

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How are these students identified?

• Students that have physical disabilities are
  identified with an IEP.
• Teachers, parents, and counselors meet to discuss
  educational goals for the student with physical
  disabilities.
• If necessary, instruction in the hospital or at
  home can be given.