Other Health Impairments

TLSE 240

Definition of other health impairments

Having limited strength, vitality, or alertness including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that result in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment

May be chronic (develops slowly and has long lasting symptoms) or acute (develops quickly and has symptoms that are intense but do not last long)

Examples Asthma AD/HD Diabetes Leukemia Sickle Cell Anemia Others

For IDEA the condition must adversely affect a child’s educational performance or it falls under the 504 plan.

Asthma Primary cause of school absences (5 million

absences a year) On the rise (72% increase in 20 years) Mild to life threatening conditions and death Difficulty exhaling (not inhaling) Air is trapped, tightness and swelling of

bronchial tubes and mucus formation About two children in a typical classroom Triggers

Asthma Medications

Anti-inflammatories reduce airway swelling

Bronchodilators open constricted airways

Take them as soon as symptoms develop

Classroom accommodations

Air purifier Have an action plan

AD/HD Neurological basis; cause appears to

be genetic Under IDEA – symptoms before age 7

and for at least 6 months, 2 settings, and adversely affect educational performance

3 defining characteristics: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

continued Physician diagnosis Failure in brain circuitry underlying

inhibition and self-control Difficulty inhibiting impulses Right hemisphere differences in

glucose levels Frontal areas, limbic system, posterior

areas

AD/HD

On the rise Boys to girls – 9% - 3% Pre-natal

Drugs, alcohol, poor nutrition, smoking Mother’s exposure to chemicals

Peri & Post-natal Brain injuries, infections, chemical

poisons

3 Types of AD/HD Predominantly

inattention type Predominantly

hyperactive-impulsive type

Combined type

Predominantly Inattention Type

Difficulty paying attention, forgetful, easily distracted

Internally focused Often overlooked by teachers Appear sluggish, daydreamers,

underachievers Difficulty with selective attention Mostly girls

Predominantly Impulsive Type

Difficulty sitting still and playing quietly

Can become workaholics Blurt, frank, impulsive, interrupt

conversations

Combined Type

Some features of previous 2 85% Difficulty with interference control

Sickle Cell Disease Most common

inherited blood condition in US (80,000 Americans)

Inherited; more in African American population

Symptoms 1st year (swelling of hands and feet, body pain, nose bleeds, fatigue, infections of body organs)

continued Not all red blood cells (which carry

oxygen) are normal Long sickle-shaped stiff cells clog

blood vessels This prevents organs/tissues from

receiving adequate oxygen Fluids needed Watch stress level Moderate (not strenuous) exercise

Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV gradually

infects and destroys immune cells, primarily T4 cells Body is unable

to fight infections

Results in opportunistic diseases

continued Stages

Latency (asymptomatic) Middle (symptomatic) Final (AIDS – acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome) T4 cell count less than 200 More than one opportunistic

infection

continued More than 1 million people in the US

had HIV in 1993 Spread through blood, semen, breast

milk, vaginal fluid Fewer children born with HIV Families do NOT need to disclose if

child has HIV Use universal precautions always with

all students

Cancer Unrestrained growth of cells 2002 – 9,100 children under 15 (one

third has Leukemia) Primary cause of death at this age Mortality rates declining

continued Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or

combination Side effects – nausea, baldness,

lowered white cell count Some develop “short term” learning

disabilities Leukemia and brain tumors most

common

Juvenile Diabetes Pancreas stops producing or produces

too little insulin so glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood

Begins before age 35 In the classroom

Student must monitor blood sugar and follow a well-balanced, carefully controlled diet

Keep emergency kit for student

continued Hyperglycemia and

ketoacidosis Blood sugar level

too high May experience

hunger, fatigue, excessive urination, thirst, blurred vision

Need to administer insulin or diabetic coma can occur

continued

Hypoglycemia Not enough sugar in blood May be dizzy, sweaty, shaky, or nervous,

and have a headache or blurred vision

Classroom Strategies For the student who is frequently absent For the student who re-enters school Educating yourself, students, and staff Health plan/Emergency plan Communication with parents, child, and

nurse Watch energy levels Others