Pupils with physical disabilities (PD) have difficulties with body movement and/or control which ranges from slight to severe. There are a huge number of medical conditions that result in a child having PD, however what all these conditions have in common is their effect upon the academic learning and social interactions of the pupil.
A physical disability is any condition that permanently prevents normal body movement and/or control. There are many different types of physical disabilities including:
Muscular dystrophy; a condition which causes the muscle fibres in the body gradually weaken over time.
Acquired brain and spinal injuries; the result of permanent injuries to the brain, spinal cord or limbs that prevent proper movement in parts of the body.
Spina bifida; occurs when a baby’s spinal cord does not develop normally during pregnancy.
Cerebral palsy; is caused by damage to the parts of the brain which control movement either during pregnancy or in early infancy.
How these conditions effect the individual child is dependent upon the severity of each case.
A teacher who specialises in pupils with PD with have a wealth of experience and expertise at including pupils within schools and classrooms. There is often a vast array of specialists and consultants who are involved with pupils with PD: Physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapists, orthopaedics, and orthotics to name a few. Pupils with PD frequently have specialist equipment which needs to be used at different times of the day, for different reasons. Such pupils can find accessing classroom equipment and facilities challenging.
It is the role of the specialist teacher for pupils with PD to interpret and coordinate all these specialists advice and the necessary equipment. A specialist teacher can provide advice on appropriate resources and adaptations to the school and classroom environment to promote inclusion.
Contact us to book one of our specialists
View our areas of specialist expertise