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Unit 6: Physically Challenged: Preventions, Teaching Strategies

on teaching and orthopedic impairment. It describes various adaptations teachers can do in the Notes
classroom to help a child with an orthopedic impairment to learn and participate in the class.
Accessibility and Classroom Layout: When you are expecting to have a child with orthopedic
impairment in the class, consider the accessibility of the classroom. If the child is in a wheelchair, the
class should be accessible by wheelchair. Check if the flooring is adequate for the child's needs. Also
check door width, stairs or thresholds and the door knobs. Toilet accessibility is another important
issue that needs to be considered. If your classroom is not suitable, you will need to consider renovation
or shifting to a different room.
Special Furniture: A child in a wheelchair, or a child with a spinal problem, may require some
special chair or table. Discuss these issues with the parents. If the child is finding it difficult to sit on
the regular classroom chair, it will be worth considering getting a special chair for him for the
classroom. The child will be spending a lot of his time everyday in the classroom. Moreover, if a child
is not seated comfortably, learning and writing can be very difficult.
Modified Writing aids: Children with orthopedic impairment in their upper limb may benefit from
writing aids. Writing aids include writing boards, special paper, pencil grips, and special pencil
holders. Children with coordination problems may also benefit from a weighted vest. As a teacher
you can help by emphasizing on learning the concept and giving the child a little extra time to write.
Modified Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities: Having a child with an orthopedic impairment in
your classroom will require some modification in the lesson plans. Plan activities in such a way that
all children, including the child with the orthopedic impairment can participate. This can be done by
adapting the materials you provide, assigning a helper, or allotting a task that they will be able to do
independently. For detailed ideas about teaching and orthopedic impairment read this.
Inclusive Classroom: A classroom is made up of students more than anything else. The greatest
barrier to inclusion is usually not architectural. It's often teasing and exclusion by peers. So prepare
your class to receive and include a child with an orthopedic impairment. Talk about how they need
to care for and treat the child. Talk about how that child is just like them and thinks and feels just like
them. Assign responsibilities for one child to help him go to the toilet, one child to sit with him in
class, another child to accompany him during lunch break. The responsibilities will give the children
opportunities to get to know the child better. In class, focus on the child's abilities. Focus on the fact
that we are all different, and need to accept each other.
Children with orthopedic impairment have normal intelligence and don't need a special curriculum.
What they need from you is acceptance, and a little adjustment. They'll contribute more to your
classroom than what you could ever contribute to them.

What is "modified" writing aids"

Self Assessment
3. Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct option:
(i) ....................... is not necessary for development of strong bones.
(a) Cleanliness (b) Medical care (c) Nutrition (d) Fighting
(ii) ............ who work on fine motor skills as well as daily living activities such as dressing, bathing?
(a) Occupational Therapists (b) Physical Therapist
(c) Speech language Pathologist (d) Physical educator
(iii) .................... is mostly used by orthopedic disabled (specially for limb defected) child in class.
(a) Table (b) Wheelchair (c) Writing board (d) Special pen

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