Physical Disabilities, Health Impairments, and ADHD

Chapter 11
Physical Disabilities,
Health Impairments, and ADHD
William L. Heward
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8e
Copyright ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Components of IDEA Definitions
• Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
– Dysfunction of bones, joints, limbs, and associated muscles
– Dysfunction of central nervous system affecting movement
– Adversely affecting educational performance
• Other Health Impairment (OHI)

– Limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or
acute health problems
– Adversely affecting educational performance
• Many children with OI and OHI receive services under other

categories
• Some do not require specialized educational services

William L. Heward
Orthopedic Impairments
• Cerebral Palsy
– Permanent disorder of voluntary movement and posture
– Little relation between impairment and intellectual
development
– Classified according to muscle tone and motor movement
• Spina Bifida
– Congenital defect in the vertebra that enclose the spinal cord
– Can result in paralysis below affected vertebra
– Hydrocephalic condition common; treated with a shunt
William L. Heward
Orthopedic Impairments
• Muscular Dystrophy
– Progressive weakening and degeneration of the muscles
– Little relation between impairment and intellectual
development
• Spinal Cord Injuries
– Caused by fracture, stretching, or compression of spinal cord
– Car accidents, sports injuries, and violence most common
causes
– Result in paralysis below affected vertebra
William L. Heward
Other Health Impairments
• Seizure disorder (epilepsy)

– Caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain
– Three different categories based on severity
– Seizures can be controlled with medicine
• Diabetes
– Chronic disorder of metabolism
– Body unable to breakdown sugar
– Treated with insulin, diet, and exercise
William L. Heward
Other Health Impairments
• Asthma
– Chronic lung disease resulting in a narrowing of airways
– Leading cause of absenteeism in school
• Cystic Fibrosis
– Genetic disorder affecting pulmonary and digestive systems
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
– Children afforded legal protection under Section 504
William L. Heward
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• The essential feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern of
inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity
• Children with ADHD can be served under the “other health

impairments” category
• Estimates of prevalence of ADHD range from 3% to 5% of

all school-age children
• Two treatment approaches that are widely used with

children with ADHD are drug therapy and behavioral
intervention
William L. Heward
Characteristics
• Children are more different than alike
– Classification based on symptoms of little use in

educational planning
– For no other group of exceptional learner is the
continuum of educational services more relevant
• Three important factors that affect educational needs
– Age of onset - children with congenital or acquired

impairments have different needs
– Visibility - the visibility of impairment may cause some to

William L. Heward
underestimate the child’s abilities and limit opportunities
Educational Approaches
• Often involve the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team

– Teachers
– Physical, occupational, and speech therapists,
– Other health care specialists (e.g., heath care aids)
• Children with physical disabilities may also need

environmental modifications
– Examples include, wheelchair accessible classrooms, or
other assistive technology
• Inclusive attitude on the part of teaches and non-disabled

peers
– Students should be encouraged to develop as much
William L. Heward
independence as possible
Current Issues and Future Trends
• Related services in the classroom

– Teachers will need to make accommodations for related
services in the classroom
• New and emerging technology
– Myoelectric (bionic) limbs
– Robotics
• Animal assistance
– Canine helpers in the classroom
• Employment, life skills, and self-advocacy
– Vocational and professional opportunities must be
expanded
William L. Heward

Physical Disabilities, Health Impairments, and ADHD

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Chapter 11

• Other Health Impairment (OHI)

• Many children with OI and OHI receive services under other

• Some do not require specialized educational services

• Seizure disorder (epilepsy)

• Children with ADHD can be served under the “other health

• Estimates of prevalence of ADHD range from 3% to 5% of

• Two treatment approaches that are widely used with

– Classification based on symptoms of little use in

• Three important factors that affect educational needs

– Age of onset - children with congenital or acquired

– Visibility - the visibility of impairment may cause some to

• Often involve the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team

• Children with physical disabilities may also need

• Inclusive attitude on the part of teaches and non-disabled

• Related services in the classroom

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