CHAPTER 9 Types and Causes of Health Impairments,
Physical Disabilities, and Neurological
TYPES, CHARACTERISTIC, AND IDENTIFICATION
Conditions
OF LEARNERS WITH DIFFICULTY WALKING AND
MOVING. 1. Epilepsy
2. Asthma
3. Cerebral Palsy
Physical disability- is a label given to a vast 4. Spina Bifida
range of difficulties that have to do with 5. Muscular Dystrophy
physical functioning. 6. Spinal Cord Injuries
Gross motor (physical)- skills are those which Classification of Physical Disabilities
require whole body movement. This involve the
Examples of progressive conditions that get
large muscles of body, and are used to perform
worse over time but can fluctuate:
everyday functions, including standing, walking,
running, and sitting, upright as well as eye-hand Multiple sclerosis- neurological
coordination skills. deterioration
Muscular dystrophy- muscular disorder
Gross Motor Developmental Milestones
Chronic arthritis- inflammation of the
joints
Age Developmental Possible Examples of non-progressive conditions that
Milestones Implications If remain stable:
milestone
achieved Cerebral palsy- neurological condition
Spina bifida- congenital malformation of
0-6 Rolls over front Poor muscle the spinal cord
months to back and back development Spinal cord injury- neurological damage
to front. for resulting from trauma
locomotion.
Examples of disabilities that are non-
6-12 Crawls forward Delayed progressive but can fluctuate:
months on belly. sensory Fibromyalgia- chronic pain condition
development
Chronic fatigue syndrome- chronic
Takes 2-3 steps due to
fatigue condition
without support decreased
ability to
explore the
environment. Characteristics of Learners with Difficulty
Walking and Moving
18 Still has wide gait Delayed play
Students has unique needs in terms of
months but skills.
walking/running physical space or has difficulty using
is less clumsy. chairs/tables in the classroom or lab.
Students needs specialized
2 years Walks smoothly Poor muscles transportation.
and turns development Students is often physically unable to
corners. for running hold a pen and write for extended
and jumping. periods of time or may experience
challenges with input, output, and
3 years Imitates standing Decreased information processing when working o
on one foot. opportunities assignments, tests, and/or exams.
for social
Students has difficulty finishing
interaction.
assignments and/or in allotted time.
4 years Stands on foot Lack of Students experience fatigue and limited
for up to 5 confidence in mobility when speaking to a person for
seconds movement a long period of time.
based Student requires extra time to obtain
activities formats compatible with assistive
technology.
Students expends a great deal of energy
to complete daily tasks.
Students experience challenges with Areas of Physical Thick one
daily living activities and nobility. Difficulties
Speech
Physical skills checklist for teacher
Some difficulties with
understanding speech
Areas of Physical Difficulties
Unable to understand
Mobility Thick one
speech
Walks fluently
No problem with
Difficulties with walking with articulation of speech
reduced mobility Uses adapted or
Can walk but not fluent augmentative
equipment to aid
No independent walking communication
In addition, it is
Uses wheelchair to help with helpful to have the
mobility? following
information:
Head Control Thick one
Normal head control
Observed At rest With excitement
Difficulties- but can hold head unwanted or goal-directed
up for extended periods of time movements activity
None
Difficulties- can hold up for very
short periods of time
Short and
No obvious head control jerky
Uses adapted seating to help Slow in
with head control writing
Sitting Thick one Tremor
No apparent problem with
sitting on normal chair Muscle
spams
Can sit unsupported but not
secure or stable
Cannot be left sitting unless D U
supported i n
s c
Difficult to place or maintain in t e
a sitting position even with r r
support i t
b a
Uses adapted seating to help u i
with positioning t n
i
Using hands Thick one o
No apparent problems with n
using both hands together
o
Some difficulties using both f
hands together but can self (age
appropriate) p
h
Can pick up and hold pencil y
s
Unable to reach and grasp i
c
Uses switch system to access
curriculum
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s time; developmental
: screening wherein
developmental
screening tests are
Sub- Ye N Don Equipment Co conducted to identify
area s o ’t used/requi m. specific
kno red developmental delays
w in motor or
Mobili movement; and
ty developmental and
Head medical evaluations,
Contr where the goal is to
ol diagnose, and the
Sitting doctor rules out other
Using possible causes of the
Hands problem (Centers for
Speec Disease Control and
h Prevention, n.d.)
Spina Bifida Spina Bifida can be
diagnosed prenatally
(before birth) through
Screening for Health Impairments and Physical blood test,
Disabilities ultrasound,
amniocentesis
Condition Screening method (getting samples from
Fluid from amniotic
Epilepsy Epilepsy is usually sac through a needle);
tested using or postnatally by a
electroencephalogram doctor using
(EEG) (Epilepsy Action, ultrasound (in early
n.d.) infancy), magnetic
Asthma An Asthma and resonance imaging
Allergies Symptom (MRI),or computed
Test was made tomography (CT) scan
available by the to have a clear view of
American College of, the spine and
Asthma, & vertebrae. (My chid
Immunology (n.d.). without Limits.org,
Among the items are: n.d.)
When I walk or do Muscular Dystrophy A number of tests
simple chores, I have may be recommended
trouble breathing or I for the diagnosis of
cough.” And “When I muscular dystrophy.
perform heavier work, These include enzyme
such as walking up test (e.g., blood levels
hills and stairs, or of creatinine kinase
doing chores that (CK);
involve lifting I have electromyography;
trouble breathing or I genetic testing;
cough.” (refer to the muscle biopsy; heart
American College of monitoring tests (e.g.,
Allergy, Asthma, & electrocardiography
Immunology, n.d., for and echocardiogram);
the full test). and lung monitoring
Cerebral Policy It is important to test (Mayo Clinic,
diagnose palsy at an n.d.a)
early age. The Spinal Cord Injuries The following figures
following can be may be used to screen
done: developmental for spinal cord
monitoring, which injuries: x-rays, CT
involves tracking a scan, and MRI (Mayo
child’s growth and Clinic, n.d.b)
development over
