Definition
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), orthopedic impairment is as follows: “a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments due to the effects of congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments due to the effects of disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures)” (Pierangelo & Giuliani, 2007, p. 268).
Examples:
Disabling physical problems such as those resulting from poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or contractures from burns would be considered as orthopedic impairments under the IDEA.
Causation
This disability category includes all orthopedic impairments, regardless of cause. Examples of potential causes of orthopedic impairment include genetic abnormality, disease, injury, birth trauma, amputation, burns, or other causes.
Other causes of orthopedic impairments may include:
· Spina bifida
· Diabetes
· Nervous system disorders
· Traumatic spinal cord injury
· Stroke
· Muscular Dystrophy
· Cerebral Palsy
Orthopedic impairments involve a wide range of causes and a diverse group of students. Some children have impairments caused by congenital anomalies, whereas others have experienced injuries or conditions that have resulted in orthopedic impairments. Congenital causes include cerebral palsy, osteogenesis imperfecta, joint deformity, and muscular dystrophy. Motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, premature birth, and other injuries and conditions may cause orthopedic impairments. Burns and broken bones can result in damage both to bones and muscles. Some children have their impairments from birth, while others acquire a physical disability,