Disabilities and Chronic Conditions What Are Orthopedic Impairments in Kids? By Ann Logsdon Ann Logsdon Ann Logsdon is a school psychologist specializing in helping parents and teachers support students with a range of educational and developmental disabilities. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 21, 2022 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Blend Images - Andersen Ross/Getty Images According to the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an orthopedic impairment is defined as a bone-, joint-, or muscle-related disability that is so severe that it negatively affects a child’s educational performance. Causes of orthopedic impairment range from genetic abnormalities (such as those that cause a missing arm or leg) to disorders like cerebral palsy, as well as other issues. Students are typically evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine if they have an orthopedic impairment that will interfere with their academic progress. Medical professionals may also observe the child in the classroom to get a sense of potential problems the student will face. Orthopedic Impairment Children may be born with an orthopedic impairment or they may acquire it at some point in life. Hereditary, congenital, and environmental factors can play a role in causing orthopedic impairments that affect the normal functioning of the bones, joints, or muscles. For example, a child may be born with joint deformities, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy. Acquired causes can include disease, injury, or surgery. (Injury or surgery may lead to the loss of a limb, muscle contractures, or bone loss that can make movement difficult.) The orthopedic impairment disability category, per IDEA, includes all orthopedic impairments, regardless of cause. Sometimes orthopedic impairments are called physical disabilities or included in the category of "other health impairments." Potential Causes of Orthopedic Impairment AmputationBirth traumaBurnsCerebral palsyDisease (poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis)FracturesGenetic abnormality (e.g., the absence of a member, clubfoot)Injury How to Talk to Kids About Disabilities Impact on Education Students with orthopedic impairments typically have the same cognitive abilities as their peers without disabilities. Because of this, school staff should try to include these students in mainstream classes as much as possible. The IDEA law states that students should be educated in the least restrictive environment when appropriate. The extent to which a child's education is affected due to their impairment varies. Factors such as the type and severity of the impairment play a role. While many students with orthopedic impairment do not have cognitive or learning problems, some may experience related neurological or motor issues that can affect sensory processing, perception, and learning. For example, impairments such as amputations and fractures can impact attendance, making it harder for kids to keep up academically. Other impairments that have accompanying brain involvement such as birth trauma and cerebral palsy may lead to learning difficulties resulting from sensory and cognitive issues. Learn About Individualized Education Programs Accommodations Students with orthopedic impairments will have different physical challenges and therefore require different accommodations. People with orthopedic impairments usually need physical accommodations or assistive technology in school, the workplace, and at home. They have legal rights to this support under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Below are some specific concerns and challenges that children with orthopedic impairments may face. Behavioral Teachers in all subject areas should be aware of the impact of an orthopedic disability on a student's behavior in class. Students with these impairments, for example, might get tired more quickly than their peers without orthopedic disabilities. Participation Physical education classes, in particular, may pose difficulties. Some students with orthopedic impairments will need to be excused from gym class. Other students with mild orthopedic impairments may be able to participate. Seating A student may need special seating arrangements to help him with posture and mobility, as moving around the classroom or moving around school hallways may be difficult. Schools may also need to arrange the schedules of these students in a way that prevents them from having to travel long distances from one class to another. Providing elevator access can also help. Technology They may also need assistive technology devices to help them communicate or lessons that address their disability, such as those that will help them improve their gross and fine motor skills. Devices and technologies that might be utilized may include wheelchairs, specialized desks, canes, crutches, communication software, or speech recognition software. Travel Children with orthopedic impairments may also face challenges accessing transportation to get to and from school. Federal law, however, requires school districts to provide the transportation necessary to help children with disabilities travel to and from school. A Word From Verywell Collectively, parents, medical professionals, teachers, counselors, and other school staff can work to provide children with orthopedic disabilities the support they need in the classroom. The child's needs may change over time, and the officials involved in their individualized education plan can make amendments to the plan to accommodate new needs. Family and Childhood Fitness 4 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. US Department of Education. Sec. 300.8 (c) (8). US Department of Education. Sec. 300.8 (c). US Department of Education. Sec. 300.114 LRE requirements. Russchen HA, Slaman J, Stam HJ, et al. Focus on fatigue amongst young adults with spastic cerebral palsy. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2014;(11):161. doi:10.1186/1743-0003-11-161 Additional Reading Protecting Students With Disabilities. U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html. By Ann Logsdon Ann Logsdon is a school psychologist specializing in helping parents and teachers support students with a range of educational and developmental disabilities. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit