BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE
ASSIGNMENT: A PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CHILD
NSC 327 GROUP 4

GROUP MEMBERS:
AKINSULIE SUCCESS BMH/NUR/211196
OYINDAMOLA
REGHA IRUOGHENE FAVOUR BMH/NUR/220380
IYEKEORETIN EMMANUELLA BMH/NUR/220599
EDEBIRI OSARUESE BMH/NUR/211246
PAUL-OJIMADU GLORY BMH/NUR/220606
IHECHILURU
JOSHUA CHINENYE TRACY BMH/NUR/220462
UGOCHUKWU GLORIA BMH/NUR/220757
CHIDINMA
ILEVBARE MICAIAH BMH/NUR/221114
OMOREGIE LISA BMH/NUR/220590
ELEBHOSE VICTORY BMH/NUR/220370
SHOKARE EMPRESS DAISY BMH/NUR/220771
IGNATIUS CHIOMA BMH/NUR/220552
AREWA EMIKE FREDA BMH/NUR/221325
OTOMEWO OGHENETEGA BMH/NUR/220513
PAULA
OSAGIE CHANTELLE BMH/NUR/220692
EGUAVOEN OSAMAGBE LOVE BMH/NUR/211199
FRANCIS ZAINAB FRANCISCA BMH/NUR/230820
OGBEMUDIA BLOSSOM BMH/NUR/220586
 PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CHILD
The term "physically challenged" is often used interchangeably with "physically
disabled," although some prefer "challenged" for its more positive connotation.
This term encompasses a wide variety of diagnoses and affects all pediatric age
groups.
WHO IS A PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CHILD?
In simple terms, a physically challenged child is a child who has a limitation
in performance of motor function.
A physically challenged child is an individual under the age of 18 with a
long-term physical disability or impairment that substantially limits one or more
major life activities such as moving, walking, speaking or using their hands. These
limitations affect their ability to interact with their environment or participate in
social and educational activities.
Physically challenged children may suffer from a lack of coordination, weak
or stiff muscles, or even total loss of muscle strength, often necessitating the use of
assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or prosthetics. These children
suffer from any physical disability making it impracticable or impossible for them
to benefit from or participate in a regular classroom program in the public schools
and whose appropriate education requires modifications to the standard classroom
setting. These modifications may include specialized instructional strategies,
adapted learning materials, or individualized support services to help them learn
effectively and reach their full academic potential.

In addition to classroom challenges, these children may also face difficulties in

mobility, stamina, dexterity, and completing basic daily tasks. Consequently, they
require not only physical assistance but also emotional and educational support, as
well as an inclusive school environment that fosters equal opportunity and
encourages full participation in all aspects of school life.

It is important to understand that while their physical capabilities may be limited,

many physically challenged children possess sharp intellects, strong aspirations,
and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society when given the right support.
In simple terms, they are children who may need help with tasks others take for
granted, yet they share the same dreams, potential, and desire to succeed as their
peers.

All these impairments may result from congenital conditions, diseases, injuries, or
developmental disorders, it can also be due to some conditions affecting their
muscles, bones, joints or nervous system. These disabilities can range from mild to
severe and can either be present at birth or acquired later in life. This can include
conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and more.
In the mildest expressions of these diagnostic entities, a child may eventually
overcome the physical challenges. However, most physical disabilities are chronic
in nature and tend to persist, to varying degrees, throughout childhood—even when
improvements are achieved through medical and therapeutic interventions.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation is the specialized medical field dedicated to
the care of physically challenged children. A multidisciplinary team, typically led
by a specially trained physician known as a physiatrist includes therapists,
rehabilitation nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), psychologists, and other
support professionals. Their collective efforts focus on enhancing the child’s
mobility, ability to perform self-care, and overall quality of life.

Primary care providers also play a crucial role by supporting rehabilitation efforts
and helping to integrate families into the care process. Functional limitations present
major challenges to a child’s ego and personality development. As such, families
must come to terms with the chronic nature of their child’s condition, processing
their emotions and expectations. Active participation in therapy and intervention
programs also impacts family routines and requires a reallocation of time and
responsibilities.
Causes:
There are various reasons a child may become physically challenged. These causes
are often linked to our healthcare system, environment, even cultural practices and
can be broadly categorized as:
1. Congenital Conditions: These are conditions present at birth due to:
a. Genetic Factors: These are caused by inherited gene mutations passed
down from one or both parents. Examples include:
i. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): A genetic disorder affecting the motor
neurons in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness.
ii. Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease): A disorder causing
fragile bones that break easily.
iii. Muscular Dystrophy: A group of inherited disorders that cause progressive
muscle degeneration and weakness.
iv. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A hereditary condition affecting the
peripheral nerves, leading to muscle atrophy and coordination difficulties.

b. Chromosomal Abnormalities: These result from errors in the number or

structure of chromosomes, impacting normal physical development.
Examples include:
i. Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21): Causes muscle hypotonia, delayed motor
development, and other physical challenges.
ii. Turner Syndrome: A condition in females where part or all of one X
chromosome is missing, often resulting in short stature and skeletal
abnormalities.
iii. Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18): Associated with severe developmental
delays, joint deformities, and physical disability.
iv. Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13): Can cause multiple congenital
abnormalities including limb and spinal deformities.

c. Events during pregnancy: These are complications that occur during

pregnancy (prenatal factors) such as infections, poor maternal nutrition,
 exposure to toxins. They are non-genetic, environmental, or medical
conditions that affect fetal development in utero. Examples include:
i. Amniotic Band Syndrome: Bands of amniotic tissue wrap around limbs or
digits, restricting growth and causing deformities.
ii. Congenital Limb Deficiencies: Limbs may not form completely due to
vascular disruptions or exposure to harmful substances.
iii. Spina Bifida: A neural tube defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t
form properly during pregnancy, often due to folic acid deficiency.
iv. Cerebral Palsy (congenital type): A group of disorders affecting
movement, muscle tone, and posture resulting from prenatal brain injury due
to maternal infections (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis), birth asphyxia, or
premature birth.
v. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): Caused by alcohol
consumption during pregnancy, leading to growth deficiencies and motor
dysfunction.
vi. Exposure to Teratogens: Such as certain medications (e.g., thalidomide),
illegal drugs, radiation, or infections that interfere with normal fetal
development.

d. Birth injuries (perinatal factors): They are complications sustained during

childbirth. It can occur due to prolonged or complicated labor, such as lack
of oxygen which may cause brain damage.

e. Poor antenatal care: can lead to premature birth or low birth weight.

CLUBFOOT: This is also a congenital deformity where a baby’s foot (or both
feet) is twisted out of shape or position. The foot may point downward and inward,
and the soles might face each other. It occurs in otherwise healthy babies with no
known cause. It can be due to a combination of environmental and genetic
influences, that is, it is not a purely genetic disorder, although genetic
predisposition can play a role.

2. Acquired Conditions: These develop after birth due to various factors:

 a. Injuries: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury,
amputations, fractures, or limb loss due to accidents can cause
physical challenges. Falls or burns, especially in overcrowded homes
without proper safety measures.
b. Infections: such as polio, meningitis, encephalitis or other infections
that damage nerves or muscles can lead to paralysis or other physical
impairments.
c. Chronic illnesses: Long-term health conditions such as juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis sickle cell disease, certain
neurological disorder can cause ongoing physical limitations
d. Malnutrition: lack of essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D
can lead to bone deformities. Lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets.

3. Neurodevelopmental disorders: Conditions such as autism spectrum disorder

can sometimes involve physical challenges.
4. Premature birth: Premature infants may experience physical challenges due to
underdeveloped organs or systems.

Types:
There are several types of physical challenges that children may experience,
including:
1. Motor disorders: Conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spinal
cord injuries affect movement and muscle control.
• Cerebral palsy: the child may have stiff or floppy limbs.
• Spina bifida: spinal cord is not fully developed, causing weakness or
paralysis.
2. Sensory impairments: can involve any of the five senses, it generally refers to
a disability related to hearing, vision, or both hearing and vision. It affects access
to visual and/or auditory information such as blindness or deafness.
3. Neurological impairments: these are conditions which are caused by damage
to, or incomplete development of the central nervous system (the brain and the
spinal cord), e.g they cause speech disorders. The damage or lack of development
will result in various disabilities depending on the affected part. Examples are
epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder.
4. Chronic Illness with Physical Impact: These are children who are born with
some inherited health conditions or those during childhood, suffer from disease
and illnesses and this make them unable to cope with the demand of schooling,
academically, emotionally, socially or otherwise. Such as asthma, diabetes, sickle
cell anemia, heart diseases, cystic fibrosis, arthritis in children can also limit
physical activity.
5. Limb deformities or amputations: Loss of a limb due to injury, medical
necessity or from birth.
• Congenital: child is born with missing or deformed limbs.
• Acquired: accident or infection leads to amputation.

The Role of a Nurse

Nurses play a crucial role in caring for physically challenged children, including:
1. Assessment and Diagnosis: Conducting thorough physical assessments,
identifying functional limitations, and contributing to the diagnostic process.
2. Care planning: Developing and implementing care plans tailored to the child's
specific needs, abilities, and developmental stage. This includes setting realistic
goals and involving the child and family in the planning process.
3. Intervention: Provide medical and therapeutic interventions to support the
child's development and well-being. Assisting with activities of daily living
(ADLs) such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Providing specialized
care like wound management, medication administration, and respiratory support.
4. Health Education: Educate the child, family, and caregivers about the
condition, treatment, and management.
5. Support: Offer emotional support and connect the family with resources and
services.
6. Rehabilitation: Supporting physical therapy and exercises.
7. Coordination of care: Collaborating with therapists, doctors, and educators.
8. Collaboration: Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team,
including physicians, therapists (physical, occupational, speech), social workers,
educators, and psychologists, to provide holistic care.
9. Promoting Development: Encouraging participation in age-appropriate
activities and promoting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
10. Preventing Complications: Educating families on preventing secondary
complications such as infections, skin breakdown, and contractures.
11. Mobility and Positioning: Assisting with safe transfers, proper positioning to
prevent complications (e.g., pressure ulcers, contractures), and training on the use
of assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, braces, walkers).
12. Pain Management: Assessing and managing pain effectively using
pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Role of the Community

1. Inclusive environments: Create accessible environments in schools,
playgrounds, public buildings, transportation, and recreational facilities that allow
physically challenged children to participate fully.
2. Support services: establish community-based organizations and support groups
for children with physical challenges and their families.
3. Awareness and education: Promote the understanding and acceptance of
physical challenges through public awareness campaigns and educational
initiatives.
4. Volunteerism: Encouraging community members to volunteer their time and
skills to assist physically challenged children and their families.
5. Challenging Stigma and Discrimination: Promoting positive attitudes and
challenging negative stereotypes associated with physical disabilities.
6. Promoting Participation: Creating opportunities for physically challenged
children to participate in social, cultural, and recreational activities alongside their
peers.

Role of the Government

1. Policies and legislation: Enact and enforce laws and policies that protect the
rights and ensure the inclusion of physically challenged children in all aspects of
life (e.g., education, healthcare, employment).
2. Funding and Resources: Allocating adequate funding for healthcare services,
rehabilitation programs, assistive devices, special education, and social support
services.
3. Early Intervention Programs: Investing in early identification and intervention
programs to maximize the developmental potential of children with physical
challenges.
4. Education and awareness: Implementing public awareness programs to
educate society on the needs and rights of children with physical disabilities.
5. Infrastructure development and Accessibility standards: Ensuring that
public spaces, transportation, and buildings are accessible for children with
physical challenges, adhering to disability-friendly guidelines or standards.
6. Healthcare access: Ensure access to specialized healthcare services and
assistive devices.
7. Social Welfare: Provide disability pensions, financial aid, and job training.

By working together, families, healthcare professionals, communities, and

governments can ensure that physically challenged children have the opportunity
to live fulfilling and productive lives.