Impact on Learning

The specific impact on learning of an individual is contingent upon the disease, its severity, and
individual factors. Two individuals with identical diagnoses may be quite different in terms of
their capabilities.
Many students with orthopedic impairments have no cognitive, learning, perceptual, language, or
sensory issues. However, individuals with neuromotor impairments have a higher incidence of
additional impairments, especially when there has been brain involvement. For most students
with orthopedic impairments, the impact on learning is focused on accommodations necessary
for students to have access to academic instruction.

Teaching Strategies
As with most students with disabilities, the classroom accommodations for students with
orthopedic impairments will vary dependent on the individual needs of the student. Since many
students with orthopedic impairments have no cognitive impairments, the general educator and
special educator should collaborate to include the student in the general curriculum as much as
possible.
In order for the student to access the general curriculum, the student may require these
accommodations:

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)

Because of the multi-faceted nature of orthopedic impairments, other specialists may be involved
in developing and implementing an appropriate educational program for the student. These
specialists can include:

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.)