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Tuesday, 18 August 2009 13:51 |
Orthopedic Impairments are impairments of the skeletal system, and muscles that adversely affect a child’s education. Well known types of orthopedic impairments include: Cerebral Palsy – condition that affects the muscles, Spina Bifida – when the spinal cord does not close completely, and Muscular Dystrophy – Muscles become week and waste away. The absence of limbs due to accidents or birth defects, The loss of muscle control due to seizures or stokes, are also considered orthopedic Impairments.
In the elementary classroom, it is important that your other students know, understand, and accept the fact that another child has an orthopedic impairment. It is also important that as the teacher you and other students do not do everything for that child. The child needs to learn how to do things for themselves. If the child asks for assistance then give it, otherwise wait and see what happens. The classroom arrangement is also important. If a child has a mobility device such as a wheel chair, the child will need to be able to move around the classroom. Try to keep them at a distance that isn’t too far from the main areas of the classroom. If your school has passing periods, allow the child with the orthopedic impairment to leave early, or give him or her more time to get from one place to another. Many students because of their impairments need help with fine and gross motor skills. Allow many activities that allow them to build on those skills.
Depending on the impairment there is a wide variety of assistive technologies that will help an orthopedic impaired student. These include: Wheel chairs, canes, crutches, to help with mobility. There are Movable table tops, to help with posture at a work area. Braces/Splints are also considered an assistive technology to help keep joints or bones in place.
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Orthopedic Impairment 
