ORTHOPAEDICALLY HANDICAPPED
An orthopedically handicapped child is one who suffers from a defect that is accompanied by one or another type of deformity that inhibits the normal exercise of his muscles, joints or bones. The term includes impairments caused by congenital anomaly impairments caused by and impairments from accidents.
Causes of orthopaediac handicap
The causative factors of orthopaediac handicaps are the
following:
1. Hereditary
causes: certain orthopaediac deformities like dwarfism, clubfoot, webbed
fingers etc. are inherited to the individual from the parents through the genes.
2. Congenital
causes: infection, maternal malnutrition, glandular disorders and drugs may
cause deformities like missing bones, bow leg, malformed bones etc. present at
the time of birth.
3. Acquired
causes: these include birth injury, accidents, nutrition deficiency, viral
infection
Educational Provisions
1. Vocational
training: provide vocational training to orthopaedically handicapped children
as far possible.
2. Adjust the
school equipments: considering the deformity, specially designed chairs and tables
should be made available to the orthopaedically handicapped children.
3. Access to
school facilities: the classrooms, library, toilet room, laboratory, auditorium
etc. must be within the reach of the orthopaedically handicapped children,
provision should be made in such rooms for the easy entrance of such children.
4. Health programme: the school must have health and physiotherapy
programs regularly aiming the orthopaedically handicapped children.
5.
Recreational need: teachers should see that the orthopaedically handicapped
children are provided with recreational facilties.
6. Teacher’s
role: Genuine efforts must be made to assist the children to the maximum extent
possible to accept their handicaps, be self-reliant and adjust to their
limitations. Adjust the classroom activities, evaluation scheme to meet the needs
of orthopaedically handicapped children.
Comments