Orthopedic

Impairments

Help teachers by giving them up-todate information about your child's medical
and physical needs. This will assist teachers in
choosing the best teaching methods for your
child.

What you can do

In some families, physical disabilities can be

develop
Special seating
useful posture
arrangements
and
to
movements

inherited. If your child has an inherited condition

such as muscular dystrophy, you may wish to speak
to a genetic counsellor. A genetic counsellor will
study your family history and explain the risks of any

Teaching Strategies:

inherited condition being passed to other children.

This counsellor would also be able to provide
information to you when you are planning to have
children if someone in your family has had an

inherited disability.

Orthopedic Impairment means a severe

orthopedic impairment that adversely
affects a child's educational performance.
The term includes impairments caused by
congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot,
absence of some member, etc.),
impairments caused by disease (e.g.,
Poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and
impairments from other causes ( e.g.,
cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures
or burns that cause contractures).

A healthy diet before and during pregnancy

can help to prevent some physical disabilities. In

particular, extra folate before and around the time of
becoming pregnant help to prevent spina bifida.

Immunization against serious childhood

illness will help to prevent some physical disabilities.

Prevent serious injury to the child's brain or

spine through, for example, car and home safety.

If your child has a physical disability:

develop
useful posture
and
movements
Special seating
arrangements
to
develop
movements
useful posture
and
Special seating
arrangements
to
Special seating arrangements to
develop useful posture and
movements.
Instruction focused on
development of gross and fine
motor skills.
Securing suitable augmentative
communication and other
assistive devices.
Awareness of medical condition
and its affect on the student
(Such as getting tired quickly)

For Parents seeking out specialist

Where possible, enroll at child care,

preschool or school well before your child is due to
attend so that necessary changes to stairs, toilets or
classrooms can be completed.

Physical Therapists who work

on gross motor skills (focusing
on the legs, back, neck and
torso)
Occupational Therapists who
work on fine motor skills

(focusing on the arms and

hands as well as daily living
activities such as dressing and
bathing)
Speech-Language
Pathologists who work with

the student on problems with

speech and language
Adapted Physical Education
Teachers, who are specially
trained PE teachers who work
along with the OT and PT to

develop an exercise program to

help students with disabilities
Other Therapists (Massage
Therapists, Music Therapists,
etc.)