Chapter 11
Physical Disabilities,
Health Impairments, and ADHD
Exceptional Children: An Introduction
Title, Edition
to Special Education, 9th Edition
ISBN 013514454X
ISBN
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Components of IDEA Definitions
Severe Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
Congenital abnormality - club foot, absence of a limb
Impairments caused by disease - poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis
Impairments by other causes - cerebral palsy, fractures, burns
Adversely affecting educational performance
Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health
problems
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart
condition, hemophilia, leukemia, sickle cell anemia
Adversely affecting educational performance
Many children with OI and OHI receive services under other categories
Some do not require specialized educational services
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
2
Prevalence
Chronic medical conditions affect up to
20% of school-age children
1% of children receiving special
education services are orthopedically
impaired
9.3% of children receiving special
education services are otherwise health
impaired
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
3
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 malformations of the brain, spinal cord
Can result in paralysis below affected vertebra
Hydrocephalic condition common; treated with a shunt
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
4
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
Results in paralysis below affected vertebra
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
5
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
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
6
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
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
7
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
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
8
Treatments
Drug treatment
Behavioral intervention
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
9
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
Two 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 underestimate the child’s abilities and limit
opportunities
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
10
Educational Approaches
Often involves 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
Assistive technology
Assistive technology and devices and the services needed
to help a child obtain and effectively use devices
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
11
Educational Approaches (cont.)
Animal Assistance
Special health care routines
Importance of positioning, seating, and
movement
Lifting and transferring students
Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special
Education, 9th Edition
Heward © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN 013514454X All Rights Reserved.
12
