Orthopedic Impairments

Definition

According to the IDEA, an orthopedic impairment is a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments due to the effects of congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments due to the effects of disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
The result of orthopedic problems varies, but generally students may have problems using legs, arms, and hands. Some will use assistive technology to help them function as independently as possible

Teaching Approaches

For these children I would allow more time for them to complete their work. I think its is important that they learn but more important that as they learn they are participating. I would make sure the student is comfortable in his or her desk so this will give them a better opportunity of learning. Also, that give the student a tape recorder to recorder answers if they have a hard time writing. Making the child make is own decision is a big key in helping them learn. I think that if the students picks would he would like to sit or what subject he wants to do next, gives me as a teacher a better idea what he is most interested in and is wanting to learn. If the students feels more comfortable in doing parts of his or her homework outside the classroom I feel that the teacher should allow this.
Also, I’ve heard that giving students lectures on a tape will better help them if they have difficulty in writing or are unable to write.

Specific Technologies

A tape recorder
An Easel
Pointer
Computers
TV’s for the students see visual
Board Markers
Pointers or Lasers
Adaptive Key Boards


Annoted References
1. http://www.napcse.org/exceptionalchildren/orthopedicimpairments.php
a great site for parents that explains this disability in great depth
2. http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/motor.html
a good site for teaching strategies
3. http://www.suite101.com/reference/orthopedic_impairment
good articles for teachers or parents on this disability
4. http://www.aasep.org/professional-resources/exceptionalstudents/orthopedicimpairment/index.html
information for myself as an educator
5. http://www.plsd.k12.pa.us/HighSchool/FineArts/Special%20Needs/musicclassroom/orthopedic_impairment.htm
a website for teachers to help plan a student’s