Page 86 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

Physical Impairments

The term “Physically Impaired” includes several categories of disabilities as discussed below. For student
management considerations, refer to Chapter Ten.

Orthopedically Impaired

A student identified with an orthopedic impairment has a severe skeletal, muscular, or neuromuscular
impairment. Orthopedic impairments are a result of hereditary anomaly, disease, accidents or other
causes. These may include Cerebral Palsy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Ontogenesis Imperfect, Spinal
Muscular Atrophy, Spine Bifida and Spinal Cord injuries. The disability significantly limits the student’s ability
to move about, sit, or manipulate education materials required for learning, or affect ambulation, posture
or body use necessary for schoolwork. Students with an orthopedic impairment may or may not be
intellectually impaired. Their speech and/or language may be affected by the impairment. They could have
a variety of physical conditions, which make it necessary for them to use special equipment for mobility
such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, walkers, or other devices. The following information provides more
details on some of the most common orthopedic impairments:

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

This is a permanent disorder resulting from an injury to the brain before, during, or after birth. It is the most
common cause of permanent disability in children. This injury causes the brain to develop abnormally.
Muscle spasticity, inability to walk or even seizure activity may result.

Sometimes students with this disability may have other disabilities and health conditions.
Symptoms may include:

Very weak or tight muscles
 Difficulty with balance
 Poor coordination
 Abnormal reflexes
 Join contractures
 Possible vision, hearing or speech impairment
 Possible mental disability

Interventions:

 Supervise and assist the student upon entering or exiting the bus. Balance is an issue for a
student with cerebral palsy.
 Assist the student with fastening the seat belt. Students often have difficulty with upper body
stability on the bus, so a safety vest may be needed.
 Be patient when the student is speaking. Speech may be slow or labored.
 Keep close supervision of the student if he/she has a seizure disorder
 Remember to follow safety procedures for the student who is in a wheelchair. Be sure that limbs
and head are protected during movement, loading, or unloading activities.

Page 86 of 149
Exceptional Student Education (ESE)