What Are the Foundations of Physical and Health Disabilities?

• Students with a wide variety of medical conditions are considered to have a physical or health disability. Because of this, rather than one general history of physical and health disabilities, each specific disability has its own history.
• Three separate categories under IDEA 04 are considered physical or health disabilities: orthopedic impairments (OI), other health impairments (OHI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). In each case, the disability must adversely affect educational performance to warrant services under IDEA 04.
• According to the most recent IDEA data, only slightly under 1% of the school-aged population receive services in these categories, mostly in the OHI category.

What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Physical and Health Disabilities?

• The causes and characteristics of students with OI and OHI vary significantly, depending on the medical condition. Causes range from brain damage to genetics to viruses. The characteristics of each condition are unique.
• Because the cause of TBI is head trauma, the characteristics depend on a number of factors such as the type, location, and severity of the injury.

How Are Students with Physical or Health Disabilities Identified?

• Identification procedures vary depending on the nature of the medical condition.
• For OI and OHI, identification of the physical characteristics of the condition and the use of medical tests such as blood tests and biopsies are involved.
• For TBI, brain imaging procedures can be used.
• For all students, the effect of the medical condition on educational performance must be evaluated.

What and How Do I Teach Students with Physical or Health Disabilities?

• Students should have access to the general education curriculum.
• Learning to manage their own health care needs can also be important for those with physical disabilities.
• Life skills, social skills, self-determination, and transition are also important learning areas.
• Individual health care plans may be implemented to provide teachers with important information and to outline management procedures for a student's condition.
• Students with TBI, in particular, can benefit from behavioral and cognitive strategies. Teachers may need to support parents in understanding and managing their student's condition and educational status.

What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching Students with Physical or Health Disabilities?

• A continuum of service delivery placements is important as students may receive services in a variety of settings.
• Classrooms must be arranged for accessibility and safety. Distance learning may be necessary for students with extended stays at home or in medical facilities.
• Adaptive equipment can be used for positioning and assisting students with everyday tasks.
• Alternative or augmentative communication systems can aid students who have difficulty with speech production.
• Assistive technology can be helpful in allowing better access to learning activities and materials.

What Are Some Considerations for the General Education Teacher?

• Safety and accessibility are important environmental considerations.
• Instructional adaptations to schedules, seating arrangements, and materials may be needed.
• Support in emotional and social development can facilitate the inclusion of students with physical and health disabilities.