Social Impact on Family, Peers, and Professionals
Families of children with orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorders can have a lot to cope with. Not only do siblings and parents or guardians need to provide positive emotional support, but they may need to help children with physical and occupational therapy, surgery recovery, and assistance with daily tasks such as using the restroom and other hygenic activities. It's impaortant to remember that the amount of time devoted to a specific disability is contingent on the severity of that disability and how the chlid feels about it.
Peers of children with orthopedic or musculoskeletal disabilities may have a lot of questions. It's important to remember that children, especially younger children, are curious and don't always have malicious intent when asking questions. However, as an educator it is important to observe and intervene in situations that make all students feel alienated or ostrasized, regardless of physical impairments.
Professionals should remain aware and attentive to the needs of those with physical impaiments. Encourage children to talk about their feelings and remember that a proactive approach is always better than a reactive approach. Establishing a good relationship with guidance counselors can also be helpful, as a child may need to discuss feelings or reactions. There is not clear-cut "way" of dealing with the emotional and physical accomodations needed to help a child with a physical disability. Exercise empathy and understanding, and listen to a child's needs. It may not always be easy to accomodate, but making an effort will be beneficial to an educator and his or her student.
Peers of children with orthopedic or musculoskeletal disabilities may have a lot of questions. It's important to remember that children, especially younger children, are curious and don't always have malicious intent when asking questions. However, as an educator it is important to observe and intervene in situations that make all students feel alienated or ostrasized, regardless of physical impairments.
Professionals should remain aware and attentive to the needs of those with physical impaiments. Encourage children to talk about their feelings and remember that a proactive approach is always better than a reactive approach. Establishing a good relationship with guidance counselors can also be helpful, as a child may need to discuss feelings or reactions. There is not clear-cut "way" of dealing with the emotional and physical accomodations needed to help a child with a physical disability. Exercise empathy and understanding, and listen to a child's needs. It may not always be easy to accomodate, but making an effort will be beneficial to an educator and his or her student.
Overall Impact of Family, Peers, and Professionals to Meet Student Needs
Once again, it's hard to discern the needs of a student with an orthopedic or musculoskeletal impaiment because it varies on a case-by-case basis. However, without a coopertive system of family, peers, and professionals, a student will fail to thrive.
Take for example a child with hip displaysia. Hip Displaysia occurs when a child's pelvic bones fail to make a solid housing for their hip bones. As a result, the child cannot walk or stand. With early intervention and proper treatment, a child can recover. However, if a child does not have support for such an abnormality at home, the child will never walk. A therapist or doctor can prescribe treatment, but without follow-through at home, recovery is unlikely.
This can be likened to a child who receives care for any abnormality. Without a coopertive team, the child cannot be expected to thrive in an environment built for able-bodied individuals. I will use Bella's limb abnormality as an example. She broke the arm with the "defect" in it a month ago. She was able to garner some use from that arm until then. Not only were we as parents responsible for making sure she was careful at home, but her teachers had to monitor her activity to make sure she did not suffer from further injury. Bella's peers were asked to help her carry her lunch tray or open doors for her. Because of the coopertive environment, she was able to continue life uninterrupted. Had there been a failure to accomodate from family, peers, or professionals, Bella would have had a much harder time adapting.
A proactive approach from all sides ensures a more fulfilling life for an individual with orthopedic or musculoskelatal disorders. There are support groups that provide information, support, and events for individulas with physical disabilities and their families. Click on the "resources" tab for more information.
Take for example a child with hip displaysia. Hip Displaysia occurs when a child's pelvic bones fail to make a solid housing for their hip bones. As a result, the child cannot walk or stand. With early intervention and proper treatment, a child can recover. However, if a child does not have support for such an abnormality at home, the child will never walk. A therapist or doctor can prescribe treatment, but without follow-through at home, recovery is unlikely.
This can be likened to a child who receives care for any abnormality. Without a coopertive team, the child cannot be expected to thrive in an environment built for able-bodied individuals. I will use Bella's limb abnormality as an example. She broke the arm with the "defect" in it a month ago. She was able to garner some use from that arm until then. Not only were we as parents responsible for making sure she was careful at home, but her teachers had to monitor her activity to make sure she did not suffer from further injury. Bella's peers were asked to help her carry her lunch tray or open doors for her. Because of the coopertive environment, she was able to continue life uninterrupted. Had there been a failure to accomodate from family, peers, or professionals, Bella would have had a much harder time adapting.
A proactive approach from all sides ensures a more fulfilling life for an individual with orthopedic or musculoskelatal disorders. There are support groups that provide information, support, and events for individulas with physical disabilities and their families. Click on the "resources" tab for more information.