Physical Disabilities
in the Classroom
What are Physical Disabilities?
- Physical disabilities are the partial or total loss of some bodily parts or functions.
- They can be disabilities that occur due to natural causes (cerebral palsy, multiple-sclerosis, arthritis) or disabilities that are causes by accidents or injuries (amputation, post-polio syndrome, acquired spinal injury).
- These disabilities can occur on their own or accompany other disabilities or disorders.
- They range in severity and can affect individuals in different ways, so no two individuals with physical disabilities are the same.
How can Physical Disabilities affect our students?
- Students with physical disabilities have lower rates of participation in extracurricular activities, so often, even without additional "disabilities", their social skills may be impaired. It can be difficult for them to interact effectively with others, or find the desire to do so.
- Other students may not understand the disability, or how to interact with them, so they are often left out or even become the target of bullying.
- Physical Disabilities can make even the smallest tasks difficult or painful, so students may become discouraged or be unable to participate in some activities independently.
- Students with Physical Disabilities may need wheelchairs or assistive technology, so certain places may not be suitable for them- field trips and other similar events can make things hard for them.
How can I, as a teacher, help these students?
Communicate with Them
Don't speak to them differently than you would other students. It can be hard to look past their physical appearance to do so, but as a teacher, you must. It will make that student feel at home and model appropriate interaction and behavior for other children in the room. In addition, be sure not to talk to their paraprofessional or interpreter if they have one- it may make them feel unimportant or forgotten.
Give them Independence
Let them do as much as possible on their own- even if it takes a while. Ask if they would like assistance, but if not, give them a chance to succeed on their own. For much of their lives, people will likely assume they are incapable of doing anything- this is certainly not true of most with physical disabilities! If you allow them to do things on their own, they will ultimately be much more comfortable and confident in your classroom, and potentially elsewhere.
Remember: They're Kids Too
It may be harder for them to communicate it to you, but they have preferences, life experiences, and passions just like every other student you serve! Make an effort to slow down and let them share with you. It shows them you care, and you don't see them as different or less than their peers.