Orthopedic

Impairment
Nicole Piccini
EDU 366-01

Orthopedic Impairment
Orthopedic impairment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is described as,
impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis,
bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g. cerebral palsy, amputations, and
fractures or burns that cause contractures) (Categories of Disability Under IDEA 2012).

Orthopedic Impairments
Motor difficulties that are disadvantageous to a childs educational performance
Can affect a vast range of motor skills such as:
Strength
Endurance
Speed
Dexterity
Coordination

Orthopedic Impairment
Severity and conditions of impairment are particular to the disease
Specific to the individual
Disease impacts individual ability to learn differently, even with the same diagnosis
Impaired physically, they often have little to no cognitive, learning, perceptual, language, or
sensory issues
Ability to learn is focused around accommodations necessary for them to obtain instruction from
teachers

Tips to help orthopedic impaired

students
your
Ensure student is inin
a safe,
positive, class:
and comfortable learning environment
Note taker
Make sure classroom is accessible and barrier free
Excused tardiness
Laboratory assistance
Offering extended test time and oral or taped tests
Tape record lessons and lectures or student

References
Categories of Disability Under IDEA | Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2012,
March 1). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/categories/
Orthopedic Impairments - Project IDEAL. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from
http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/orthopedic-impairments/
Types of Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from
https://www.tntech.edu/studentaffairs/disability/types