Physical Disabilities
Children with physical disabilities or other health impairments are 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.
Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Some children are physically disabled because of defects or diseases of the muscles or bones. Even though they don't have neurological impairments, their ability to move is affected. Most of the time, muscular and skeletal problems involve the legs, arms, joints, or spine, making it difficult or impossible for the child to walk, stad, sit, or use his or her hands.
Examples of Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
The IDEA category of orthopedic impairments contains a wide variety of
disorders. These can be divided into three main areas: neuromotor impairments,
degenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. The specific
characteristics of an individual who has an orthopedic impairment will depend on
both the specific disease and its severity, as well as additional individual
factors. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
A neuromotor impairment is an abnormality of, or damage to, the brain, spinal
cord, or nervous system that sends impulses to the muscles of the body. These
impairments are acquired at or before birth, and often result in complex motor
problems that can affect several body systems. These motor problems can include
limited limb movement, loss of urinary control, and loss of proper alignment of
the spine. The two most common types of neuromotor impairments are cerebral
palsy and spina bifida. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Cerebral palsy refers to several nonprogressive disorders of voluntary
movement or posture that are caused by malfunction of or damage to the
developing brain that occurs before or during birth or within the first few
years of life. Individuals with cerebral palsy have abnormal, involuntary,
and/or uncoordinated motor movements. The four most common types of cerebral
palsy include:
Spastic (very tight muscles occurring in one or more muscle groups that result in stiff, uncoordinated movements)
Athetoid (movements are contorted, abnormal, and purposeless)
Ataxic (poor balance and equilibrium in addition to uncoordinated voluntary movement)
Mixed (any combination of the types) ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Cerebral palsy is also classified by which limbs (arms and legs) are
affected. Major classifications include hemiplegia (left or right side),
diplegia (legs affected more than arms); paraplegia (only legs), and
quadriplegia (all four limbs). ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Spina bifida is a developmental defect of the spinal column. Spina bifida is
characterized by an abnormal opening in the spinal column and frequently
involves some paralysis of various portions of the body. It may or may not
affect intellectual functioning. Spina bifida is usually classified as either
spina bifida occulta or spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida occulta is a mild
condition while spina bifida cystica is more serious. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Degenerative diseases are composed of various diseases that affect motor
development. The most common degenerative disease found in the school
population is muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited
diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness from degeneration of
muscle fibers. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Musculoskeletal disorders are composed of various conditions that can result
in various levels of physical limitations. Two examples of musculoskeletal
disorders include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and limb deficiency.("Project Ideal," 2008)
disorders. These can be divided into three main areas: neuromotor impairments,
degenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. The specific
characteristics of an individual who has an orthopedic impairment will depend on
both the specific disease and its severity, as well as additional individual
factors. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
A neuromotor impairment is an abnormality of, or damage to, the brain, spinal
cord, or nervous system that sends impulses to the muscles of the body. These
impairments are acquired at or before birth, and often result in complex motor
problems that can affect several body systems. These motor problems can include
limited limb movement, loss of urinary control, and loss of proper alignment of
the spine. The two most common types of neuromotor impairments are cerebral
palsy and spina bifida. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Cerebral palsy refers to several nonprogressive disorders of voluntary
movement or posture that are caused by malfunction of or damage to the
developing brain that occurs before or during birth or within the first few
years of life. Individuals with cerebral palsy have abnormal, involuntary,
and/or uncoordinated motor movements. The four most common types of cerebral
palsy include:
Spastic (very tight muscles occurring in one or more muscle groups that result in stiff, uncoordinated movements)
Athetoid (movements are contorted, abnormal, and purposeless)
Ataxic (poor balance and equilibrium in addition to uncoordinated voluntary movement)
Mixed (any combination of the types) ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Cerebral palsy is also classified by which limbs (arms and legs) are
affected. Major classifications include hemiplegia (left or right side),
diplegia (legs affected more than arms); paraplegia (only legs), and
quadriplegia (all four limbs). ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Spina bifida is a developmental defect of the spinal column. Spina bifida is
characterized by an abnormal opening in the spinal column and frequently
involves some paralysis of various portions of the body. It may or may not
affect intellectual functioning. Spina bifida is usually classified as either
spina bifida occulta or spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida occulta is a mild
condition while spina bifida cystica is more serious. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Degenerative diseases are composed of various diseases that affect motor
development. The most common degenerative disease found in the school
population is muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited
diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness from degeneration of
muscle fibers. ("Project Ideal," 2008)
Musculoskeletal disorders are composed of various conditions that can result
in various levels of physical limitations. Two examples of musculoskeletal
disorders include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and limb deficiency.("Project Ideal," 2008)