Other Health Impaired

Underserved in Gifted EducationScott Huff, Anna Irvin, & Judy Camp

OHI: What does it mean?

According to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), an Other Health Impairment is defined as:

0 having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that:(i) is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia; and(ii) adversely affects a child's educational performance [34 C.F.R. 300.7(c)(9)].

Most Common Health Impairments

0ADD/ADHD0Diabetes0Epilepsy0Heart

Conditions0Hemophilia

0Lead poisoning0Leukemia0Nephritis0Rheumatic Fever0Sickle Cell Anemia0Tourette

Syndrome

Characteristics

0Fatigue0Mobility Issues0Attention/focus issues0Coordination difficulties0Muscle weakness0Decreased stamina0Inability to concentrate for long periods of time

Possible Issues0Child may miss school frequently for doctor

appointments or illnesses 0May have physical restrictions 0Inattentiveness due to health impairment

and/or medications 0Other medication side effects, such as

increased thirst 0Academic lags

Educational Interventions0 Flexible time limits 0 Freedom to use bathroom or drinking fountain as needed 0 Frequent breaks 0 Reduced assignments 0 Alternative assignments when absent frequently 0 Alternative grading scale 0 Allow child to escape assignment if necessary 0 Safe Place 0 Include School Nurse and Social Worker in IEP process 0 Decrease distractions 0 Flexible seating

*Specific interventions may vary based on the student’s particular health issue.

Advocacy Issues0Legislation

0 Laws are being enacted and evaluated to preserve the rights of students with special needs.

0 IDEA, FAPE, and other specific laws protect the rights of these students to receive and appropriate education.

0Awareness0 Schools need to provide resources to raise awareness of the broad scope of an

OHI label0 Professional learning for teachers to teach them how to provide appropriate

interventions

0Support0 Counselors, school nurses, and social workers need to be available to assist

students with health issues when needed

Best Practices0 Build a caring, nurturing classroom environment 0 Teach students about the health impairment 0 Use of visuals 0 Hands-on learning 0 Cooperative learning 0 Partner work 0 Give short, concise directions 0 Teach lessons that allow for movement around room 0 Allow for frequent, positive feedback 0 Help the child build on his strengths and be successful 0 Give ADHD student frequent breaks or allow to go on

errands