How To Support Students With Other Health Impairment Disability Category in IDEA?
18th August 2023
Students with special needs often require additional support and accommodations to thrive in an educational environment. One specific category of disability recognized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is Other Health Impairment (OHI). This category encompasses a range of conditions, diseases, disorders, and injuries that significantly impact a student's strength, vitality, or alertness.
According to ahead.ie, it has been found out that majority of the students have Specific learning difficulty than any other Health Impairment, which many teachers nowadays be able to help those children.
Those teachers who have pursued courses like Online Special Education Courses be able to understand and recognize students with rare other Health Impairments to give proper support to those students.
However, in this blog post, we will explore what other health impairment entails and discuss how Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers can effectively support students with OHI to ensure their educational success.
Before moving to the topic, can we ask you a question? Do you follow us on Social Media? We regularly share upgraded educational content, tips, feedback, and more. Check us out by clicking the profiles here -
So, without any further delay, let’s get started.
Understanding Other Health Impairments
Other health impairments can arise from chronic or acute health problems, which may be long-term or temporary. To be identified as having another health impairment, the student's condition must have a substantial impact on their educational performance for at least 60 days.
Common examples of other health impairments include asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart conditions, Hemophilia, Lead poisoning, Leukemia, Nephritis, Rheumatic Fever, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Tourette syndrome. It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive, as there are many other health issues that may qualify as other health impairments.
Strategies To Support Students With Other Health Impairment Disability Category in IDEA
Once a student is being identified as having other health impairments, Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers can implement a range of accommodations and support strategies to meet their unique needs. These strategies may include:
1. Flexible Learning Environment:
Creating a flexible and supportive learning environment can help students with OHI thrive. This may involve providing preferential seating, reducing distractions, and adjusting lighting or noise levels to accommodate their specific needs.
2. Individualized Instruction:
Creating instruction to meet the individual needs of students with OHI is essential. Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers can adapt teaching methods, materials, and assessments to ensure the student's full participation and understanding.
3. Assistive Technology:
Utilizing assistive technology can enhance the learning experience for students with OHI. This may include providing text-to-speech software, adaptive keyboards, or voice recognition tools to facilitate communication and access to curriculum materials.
4. Collaboration with Medical Professionals:
Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers should collaborate closely with medical professionals involved in the student's care. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive understanding of the student's health condition, treatment plans, and any necessary medical interventions that may affect their educational experience.
Supporting Students with ADHD
ADHD is one of the most common conditions,which may lead to a referral for special education services under the Other Health Impairment Category. Students with ADHD often struggle with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can significantly impact their learning. Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers can employ various strategies to support students with ADHD, such as:
- Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable segments to improve focus and attention.
- Providing visual aids and organizational tools to enhance organization and reduce forgetfulness.
- Implementing a structured routine and clear expectation to minimize distractions and foster a sense of predictability.
- Incorporating movement breaks and kinaesthetic learning activities allows students with ADHD to release excess energy and improve engagement.
Help Students with Other Health Impairments To Thrive
Students with other health impairments require specialized support to overcome the challenges they face in the educational setting. Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers play a pivotal role in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that meets the unique needs of these students.
Those teachers who have pursued courses like Online Special Education Courses knows every Other Health Impairment Disability Category in IDEA and its effects on students, they also can provide the necessary support to those students.
However, in this blog post, we have covered how you can help those students with Other Health Impairment Disability Category in IDEA to create an inclusive learning environment and meet the unique needs of these students.
We believe education should be accessible for everyone. That’s why we don’t charge for our blogs. Find the right course for you and try out the course. WhatsApp us at: +66-81-262-8832. You can also mail us at act@asiancollegeofteachers.com
