Students
with physical impairments in most cases receive their education in
their home school accessing the general curriculum with their
non-disabled peers. Related services including occupational therapy,
physical therapy, special transportation, use of assistive technology
devices, and nursing services are provided using itinerant or school
based personnel. Orange County Public Schools also identifies regionally
located elementary, middle, and high schools that have more intensive
and specialized service capability. Students with physical impairments
who have more complex and intensive specialized needs, can be
transported to one of these regular neighborhood schools where a higher
level of service can be provided. Inclusive educational
practices are considered for all students and implemented to meet
individual student need.
Other
Health Impaired means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness,
including a heightened alertness to environment, that is due to chronic
or acute health problems. This includes, but is not limited to, asthma,
attention deficit disorder, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia,
nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain
injury. To be eligible of exceptional student education there must be
evidence of a health impairment that results in reduced efficiency in
schoolwork and adversely affects a student's performance in the
educational environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is meant by Physically Impaired with Orthopedic Impairment?An
orthopedic impairment refers to a severe skeletal, muscular or
neuromuscular impairment. The term includes impairments resulting from
congenital anomalies (e.g. including but not limited to skeletal
deformity or spina bifida), and impairments resulting from other causes
(e.g., including but not limited to cerebral palsy or amputations). To
be eligible for exceptional student education, there must be evidence of
an orthopedic impairment that adversely affects the student’s
performance in the educational environment.
- What is meant by Physically Impaired with Other Health Impairment?Other
Health Impaired means 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
is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but is not
limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart
condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic
fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury. To be eligible of
exceptional student education there must be evidence of a health
impairment that results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and
adversely affects a student’s performance in the educational
environment.
- When might I suspect that my child has an Orthopedic or Other Health Impairment?Most
children with an orthopedic or other health impairment may be diagnosed
by the family physician in the early years of childhood or infancy.
Some may be diagnosed later when the child appears delayed in gross
and/or fine motor skills or following a serious accident or injury.
- If I have a concern, what should I do?
- First consult with your child's pediatrician and/or family physician and explain your concerns.
- If your child is between the ages of 3 to 5, please contact Preschool Diagnostic Intervention Services (PDIS) at 407-317-3503.
- Talk with your child's teacher and determine if s/he has special needs or seems delayed in gross and fine motor skills.
- Request
an educational planning team meeting at the child's school. If further
evaluations are required, ask questions to increase your understanding
of what you should expect as an outcome of the evaluations.
- Will my child need special services throughout his/her school years?A
student who is physically impaired may require a specialized
educational program until such time s/he learns to develop abstract
concepts and skills and be more independent in the educational setting.
Because children who are physically impaired do not grow out of their
disability, it is important to diagnose them as soon as possible so the
child can be provided the necessary services to allow them full
opportunities to participate in classroom activities.
- What services are available through the schools?The
Orange County Public School System has a continuum of services for
students who are physically impaired from preschool through age 22.
These services range from consultation to placement in a self-contained
classroom. Classes are located on regular school campuses, as well as in
special centers. The amount of time a student spends in exceptional
education classes is determined by individual needs that are identified
on the student’s individual educational plan (IEP). Specialized
instructional strategies, modifications and accommodations help the
child participate in the curriculum. Environmental accommodations make a
school campus accessible. Related services, such as Nursing,
Occupational and Physical Therapy, are provided to eligible students.
Transportation is provided by the school district.
Service Delivery Models
- Consultation - The
student remains in the regular classroom. School personnel, such as an
ESE teacher or staffing coordinator/placement specialist, consults with
the student's classroom teacher regarding progress the student has made
in the classroom.
- Itinerant/Resource Services - Students
are pulled out of the regular classroom for part of the school day to
receive instructional skills, as needed. Students who are physically
independent may attend their neighborhood school. Environmental or
curriculum modification(s) and special transportation needs are provided
by the district.
- Self-Contained Services - Students
spend almost all of their instructional day with a teacher
knowledgeable in exceptional education. The class size is usually
smaller than a regular education class. There may be more than one grade
level in the class. Students with multiple handicaps are served in a
classroom usually located at a center school in order to receive the
services of nurses, physical, occupational, and speech and language
therapists. Environmental or curriculum modification(s) and special
transportation needs are provided by the district.
How will the program benefit my child?
The
program for the physically impaired will provide the appropriate
specialized services, as well as curriculum adaptations/modifications
and therapies, to assist the student in meeting classroom demands.
Proper placement and support will hopefully enable the student to
function successfully within the family structure and as a contributing
member of society. The program strives to assist the student to be
educationally and physically independent, and assist them to achieve
academically.
Once
in the program the emphasis is on teaching the student to learn about
and adapt to his/her physical or health impairment. Each year, you will
meet with your child's teacher and other professionals to review and
develop an individual educational plan (IEP) to meet the needs of your
child.
How can I help?
Parents are encouraged to:
-
Stay in contact with teachers and know what they are doing.
-
Have current medical reports and follow recommendations.
-
Trust your instincts; seek a second opinion.
-
Encourage your child to discuss his/her physical needs.
-
Learn the best way to communicate with your child.
-
Look at the child first and his/her physical needs secondly.
-
Keep all adaptive/assistive devices (wheelchairs, braces, crutches, etc.) in good working condition.
-
Understand his/her strengths or weaknesses.
-
Seek counseling, if needed.
Where do I go for assistance?
Orange County Public Schools
Physically Impaired Program
(407) 317-3409
Preschool Diagnostic Intervention Services (PDIS)
3100 Edgewater Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 317-3503
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
3100 Edgewater Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 317-3660
Useful Links
Muscular Dystrophy Association
News and information about neuromusculara diseases.
Spina Bifida Association
The association addresses the specific need of the spina bifida community.
Cerebral Palsy Foundation