Orthopedic Impairments

According to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), orthopedic impairment is defined as a bone, joint, or muscle related disability that is so severe that it negatively affects a child’s educational performance.

Various exceptionalities cause students to look “different” from their peers.

We have great athletes and famous people with orthopedic impairments that make us proud and do a better job than most of us would do.

Some examples of orthopedic impairments are cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputations and muscular dystrophy.

Cerebral palsy

• Nervous system impairment. It's a disorder affecting body movement and muscle coordination, resulting from damage to the brain during pregnancy or in the child’s first 3 years.

Characteristics:

• Muscle spasms or tightness

• Involuntary movement

• Hard to write and speak

• Abnormal perception and sensation

• Seizures

• Learning or intellectual disabilities

• Hearing loss

• Impaired vision

• Some mental problems, especially in adolescence

• Some children may need voice aids

• Physiotherapy is very important for these children

A great read is “Taking cerebral palsy to school” by Mary Elizabeth Anderson

RJ Mitte, actor, producer, model, activist, was diagnosed with CP at the age of 3

Spina bifida:

• Neural tube defect within the first 4 weeks of pregnancy causing damage to the nervous system and affects cognitive development.

Characteristics:

• Paralysis of the lower limbs

• Loss of bladder control

• Affects cognitive development

• Hydrocephalus (accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain) can cause brain injury

• Headaches, vomiting, seizures

• May use braces or crutches

• May need to use calculators to solve math problems

A good read is the book: Jimmy Wheelz and the Minilights

Amputations:

• Some conditions like certain types of cancer result in surgeries to remove tumors from muscles or bones

• diabetes or accidents can result in amputation of some limbs or some other body parts

To learn more about amputations, please visit https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/definition-amputation#1

A brand new leg - book by Sharon Rae North can help children understand and accept amputations

Muscular dystrophy:

• Also known as MD

• Group of neuromuscular disorders that result in progressive muscle weakness

• The muscle tissue is replaced by fatty and cognitive tissue resulting in muscle weakness, difficulty to speak, breath or move

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is more common in school years

Characteristics:

• Difficulty rising from the floor or climbing stairs

• Use of wheelchair

• Difficulty breathing

• Poor social skills

• Delayed language

• Death in the twenties

https://muscle.ca/ is a good website to learn more about this condition

A good book to teach children about this exceptionality is: Sophie, why can’t you walk?

Facebook challenge activity:

- Usually amputees suffer from muscle contractions ans back pain. Stretching and relaxing can improve flexibility and prevent muscle pain.

- For this activity we can go to a yoga class. If that is not possible, we can do our own stretching at home.

-Take half an hour of your time and put on your favourite music. Do some breathing and relaxing exercises.

- Stretch your muscles and breath deeply.

- Thank you for taking half an hour of your time for yourself.