10 - Other Health Impairments (OHI) & Orthopedic Disability

Because there are so many disabilities/disorders that fall under "OHI" it is hard to describe the term OHI. These are all examples of common disabilities/disorders for school-aged children under OHI: asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome.

Orthopedic Disability under IDEA is defined as "…a severe orthopedic impairment."

What are causes for OHI in school-age individuals?

Students will have to face adversities with an OHI. Teachers can help by being aware of each individual student and meeting their needs. Loss of sense of control, fear, worry, anxiety, stress, anger, guilt, isolation, boredom, depression, pain, decreased self-esteem, negative body image, muscle weakness, and inability to concentrate are all possible [blank_start]characteristics[blank_end] of OHI, and knowing these can help a teacher better adjust to the learning needs of the student.

As teachers, we will have to take into consideration all of the characteristics students display when teaching. To effectively teach, including the learning domain of [blank_start]psychomotor[blank_end], teachers will have to adapt to students' physical needs. Actions will change depending on the teacher. An example would be if a student cannot hold still during class but is still doing their work and a teacher wants to take the student to a professional, or if another teacher lets the student squirm because they see the student still learning and doing their work. Every student is different, and every teacher should anticipate working with each student in their own way to develop or work with their motor skills.

As if having an OHI impairment is not enough, individuals with OHI's often also become stigmatized. Teachers will have to be sensitive working with these students so they do receive any kind of grief in their classroom. Helping the student have a safe environment should be a given, but being aware of certain characteristics will allow the teacher to be more prepared in giving instruction. Aiding a student this way, is working in the [blank_start]social/emotional[blank_end] learning domain.

Probably the most academic learning domain, teachers should also take OHI characteristics into consideration when working in the [blank_start]cognitive[blank_end] aspect of school. Being aware of students' characteristics the teacher will be able to prepare and deliver instruction in a way that best fits each student. Being in contact with the parents of each student is a great way to learn about each student and their individual characteristics/needs.

Under the umbrella of Other Health Impairments, there are many disabilities and disorders that qualify for special education. According to IDEA under the category of Orthopedic Disability though, a student won't qualify unless they meet the criteria defined as having "a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance." Simply put, this means the condition involves physical disabilities which could affect the academic process.

(Teaching implications) When preparing to teach for students with OHI or an orthopedic disability, one will have to do some of the following. Check all that apply.

Orthopedic disabilities are only caused by genetic abnormality, disease, and/or injury.

What are characteristics of cerebral palsy?