Chapter07 allen7e

©2012 Cengage Learning.All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 7Physical Disabilities and Health

Problems


Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments

• Physical impairments that relate to problems involving skeleton, joints, and muscles

• Health conditions related to limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health problems


Physical Disabilities

• Cerebral palsy—neurological disorders resulting in lack of control of muscle movements: – Spasticity—the muscles are spastic. They do

not contract and flex as they should.– Hypotonicity—the muscles are floppy.– Athetosis—fluctuating or uneven muscle tone.– Ataxia—lack of motor coordination.– Mixed—combination of two or more.


Physical Disabilities (continued)

• Classifications based on body parts– Diplegia—all four extremities– Hemiplegia—one side of the body– Paraplegia—legs only– Quadripelgia—arms, legs, trunk, and head

control



• Spinal cord injuries– Spina bifida—imperfect development of the

spinal cord in utero• Hydrocephalus—build up of fluid on the brain• Incontinence—lack of control over bladder and

bowel movements



• Muscular dystrophy—progressive weakening of the muscles– Duchenne’s disease—affects only boys;

weakness begins at hips and shoulders and moves to arms and legs.

• Hip dysplasia—hip moves in and out of socket.– Usually found in girls and treated with braces



• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis—painful inflammation around the joints– Children should be encouraged to move.– It often disappears by age 18.



• Program implications– Early intervention is key.– Professionals work together for consistency in

therapy.– Adaptive equipment may be necessary to

encourage movement and muscle strength.



• Adaptive equipment– Mobility devices—braces, walkers,

wheelchairs– Positioning devices—wedge mats, bolsters,

prone boards



• Adapting materials– Universal design approach

• Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not work

• Understanding the need to design curricula to meet the needs of all classroom learners

• Believing that all children who attend early education programs will be successful in their development and learning



– Manipulative materials• Wall displays• Velcro on blocks• Pegs on puzzle pieces

– Creative materials• Use large pencils, paintbrushes• Push pencils through a ball for an easier grip• Tape paper to easel or table to prevent sliding



– Self-help devices• Use Velcro instead of buttons.• Make utensils easier to grip for feeding.• Use suction cups for soap.



• Adaptations in the classroom– Wheelchair accommodation

• Widen aisles• Put materials up on shelves, not on the bottom• Bathroom accessibility

– Railings• Indoors and out, place railings to help children with

balance



– Floor coverings• Carpeting is best, if well stretched and securely

nailed down.• If no carpeting, provide nonskid crutches and

shoes

– Eye-level materials• Place objects at the children’s eye level for

independence.


Health Problems

• Some children are chronically ill and live every day with serious health problems.

• Many developmental disabilities involve significant health risks and problems.


Health Problems (continued)

• Asthma– This is the most common and the most

serious.– During an attack, a child cannot get a full

breath of air.– Lips and nails may turn blue.– If a child cannot get relief from medication,

emergency help needs to be called.



• Cystic fibrosis– Children have excessive mucus, chronic

cough, progressive lung damage, and inability to absorb fats and proteins.

– They also tend to have frequent, foul smelling bowel movements and unusually salty perspiration.



• Hemophilia– This is found only found in males.– The blood does not clot normally, causing

serious internal bleeding.



• Leukemia– This is the most common type of childhood

cancer.– Chemotherapy is the most common

treatment.



• Sickle-cell anemia– Autosomal recessive disorder– Red blood cells are sickle in shape instead of

round, making it difficult for them to pass through the bloodstream.

– Overall fatigue is one of the chronic problems.– It is found only in African-American children.



• Heart problems– Children with heart problems should be

encouraged to move.– Monitor their skin color for a blue tone.– Let the children tell you when they are too

tired to continue.



• Diabetes– The body does not produce or properly use

insulin. – Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert

sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.

– There are two types of diabetes—type 1 and type 2



– Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder.

• The body does not make enough beta cells to fight off infections.

– Type 2 diabetes is the more common.



– Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are the result

• Hypoglycemia is excessively low levels of sugar in the blood.

• Hyperglycemia is too much sugar in the blood.• When in doubt, give a form of sugar.

– Regulate food intake.– Monitor activity levels.– Watch for changes in behavior.



• Seizure disorders– Epilepsy is a form of seizure disorder.– Types of seizures:

• Febrile seizures, brought on by a fast rising fever• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand-mal)

– Violent shaking and jerking

• Absence seizures (petit mal)– Momentary loss of consciousness– Often accused of daydreaming



• Partial psychomotor seizures– Often appear like a tantrum– Child unaware of behavior– Become stereotypic for that child

– Medication is often prescribed.– Be aware of what to do during a seizure:

• Remain calm.• Cushion child’s head.• Remove sharp objects.• Do not put anything in the child’s mouth.



• AIDS– Caused by HIV– Attacks the healthy immune system, leaving a

person vulnerable to illness– Contracted through sexual contact, blood-to-

blood contact, and infected mother to baby



• Obesity– Not necessarily a disability, it can lead to poor

self-esteem and other health risks.– Child’s caloric intake exceeds caloric loss

through exercise.– Increase child’s movement and limit the intake

of empty calories through junk food.



• Undernourishment– Children consume too few calories, causing

low weight.– It can result from poor chewing and

swallowing.– Increase easy-to-swallow foods and consult

nutritionist for high-calorie, healthy food choices.


Health Problems and Classroom Practices

• Teachers should be informed of all health issues related to the child that may impact educational performance.

• Become educated on the illness, prevention, and care.


Health Problems and Classroom Practices (continued)

• Health records– These should be kept on all children and

should include:• Emergency telephone numbers• Names of doctors/dentists• Medications• Allergies• Immunizations



• Administering medications– This varies from state to state, but most

require the following:• Parent permission• Child’s name on the bottle with the dosage• Medication log to be on file• Locked area to keep medication



• Emergency considerations– Emergencies need to be planned for, even

though we hope they never occur.– Fire drills should be practiced monthly.– Parents should be contacted about plans for

their child in case of emergency.– Staff need a plan for classroom coverage.– Staff should have CPR and first aid training.



• Confidentiality– Similar to a doctor, a teacher needs to

maintain confidentiality about students.– Student files should not leave the building.– Students should not be discussed outside of

work.– Families need to know that they can trust the

teacher with this knowledge about their child.

Education

Chapter07 allen7e