Orthopedic Impairment

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Los Angeles Unified School District Division of
Special Education
Schools for All Children
Development and Learning Characteristics of
Students with Orthopedic Impairment
Donnalyn Jaque-Antón Associate Superintendent
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Orthopedic Impairment

• A student has a severe orthopedic impairment
  which adversely affects the students educational
  performance. Such orthopedic impairments include
  impairments caused by congenital anomaly,
  impairments caused by disease, and impairments
  from other causes.
• Section 3030(e), Title 5, CCR

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Definition

• A severe orthopedic impairment is persistent and
  significantly restricts an individuals normal
  physical development, movement, and activities of
  daily living. Accompanying sensory, intellectual,
  behavioral, learning, and medical problems often
  occur that may impact the students ability to
  access his/her educational program. Students may
  need support to pursue the Districts Core
  Curriculum (with or without adaptations) or the
  Alternate Curriculum.
• Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34,
  300.(7)(c)(8)

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Eligibility Criteria

• Orthopedic Impairment
• must be documented
• adversely affects educational performance
• requires special education to meet the students
  needs

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Who is Rebecca Moore?

• She is a very social and engaging, 12-year-old
  girl in a gifted and talented education program.
• She uses a power wheel chair for mobility, and
  requires special devices to help her breathe and
  to receive nutrients.
• She has a very limited range of arm motion and
  significantly reduced finger strength.
• She has a condition called spinal muscular
  atrophy, which is degenerative.

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Who is Jose Gonzales?

• He is a 7-year old boy, with a great sense of
  humor, in a second grade general education
  classroom.
• He uses a manual wheelchair for mobility, and is
  able to maneuver and transfer in and out
  independently.
• He has significant cognitive challenges, and is
  not expected to meet grade level standards.
• He has a condition called spina bifida.

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Who is Jonathan Yee?

• He is a 16-year old student just returning to his
  comprehensive high school.
• He has a large circle of friends, most of which
  he has known since elementary school.
• He has difficulty recalling information,
  retaining facts, and expressing himself verbally.
• Although he had been a student athlete, he now
  has gross coordination issues.
• He has significant traumatic brain injury
  following an automobile accident.

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Levels of Intervention

• Student Study Team (SST)
• 504 Plan
• Referral for Special Education Assessment
• Assessment plan must consider the unique needs
  of student

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What level of intervention does the student
require?

• Rebecca Moore?
• Jose Gonzales?
• Jonathan Yee?
• (Chart your groups decisions)

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Educational Needs Considerations

• Decreased physical stamina
• Prolonged absences
• Longer response times
• Accompanying sensory impairment

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Educational Needs Access to Standards-based
Instruction

• Exposure to core curriculum and rigorous
  instruction
• Implementation of differentiated instructional
  strategies
• Adaptations to facilitate accessibility
• Accommodations
• Modifications
• Use of Alternate Curriculum and/or Life Skills

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What educational supports does the student
require to access standards-based instruction?

• Rebecca Moore?
• Jose Gonzales?
• Jonathan Yee?
• (Chart your groups decisions)

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Educational Needs Specialized Materials and
Equipment

• Low Tech
• Dycem
• Slant Boards
• Book stands
• Page fluffers
• Pencil grips
• Specialized writing paper (e.g. larger lines,
  raised lines)
• Audiotapes of printed materials

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Educational Needs Specialized Materials and
Equipment

• High Tech
• Computer
• Specialized keyboards (e.g
  IntelliKeys)
• Software programs (e.g. word predict, print to
  voice, math applications)

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Dreamwriter 400
Calc-talking
Reading Edge
Digital Notebook
Ballpoint Mouse
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Educational Needs Augmentative/Alternative
Communication

• Low Tech
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Single switch voice output device
• Picture schedules
• Conversation Books

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Spinner
Switches
Pocket Talker
Magnifying Glasses
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Educational Needs Augmentative/Alternative
Communication

• High Tech
• Multi-level voice output communication device
• Computers
• Print to voice computer software

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4 Talk
E Talk Animation
Go Talk1
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What assistive devices may be required by the
student?

• Rebecca Moore?
• Jose Gonzales?
• Jonathan Yee?
• (Chart your groups decisions)

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Unique NeedsSocial Emotional

• The psychological needs of the physically
  disabled are identical to those of their typical
  peers.
• Physiological or survival needs
• Safety needs
• Belongingness and love needs
• Esteem needs
• Self-actualization
• Maslow(1954)

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Unique NeedsSocial Emotional

• Encourage maximum independence!
• Ecological Assessment
• Natural Supports
• Self-Advocacy

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Unique NeedsMobility and Access

• Assist the student in developing motor skills to
  their maximum utilizing a variety of aids
• Wheelchairs
• Braces
• Walkers
• Canes

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Unique NeedsTransition and Career Planning
Opportunities to explore careers should be
provided as often as possible. The exploration
should identify careers that are realistic,
available in the community, and compatible with
the individuals personal interest and
abilities.
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What other unique factors need to be addressed in
order to support the student?

• Rebecca Moore?
• Jose Gonzales?
• Jonathan Yee?
• (Chart your groups decisions)

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School Site Preparation/Training

• Prior to enrollment
• Discuss specific student needs with classroom
  teacher
• Share factors relating to disability of incoming
  student with new classmates such as, means of
• Communication
• Mobility
• Support

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Share your vision for

• Rebecca Moore?
• Jose Gonzales?
• Jonathan Yee?
• (Chart your groups decisions)

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"Great opportunities to help others seldom come,
but small ones surround us every day." Sally
Koch American Educator