Week 8: Physical Disabilities

Question 1

What year was the Disability Discrimination Act enforced?

Answer 1

1992
The DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person, in many areas of public life, including employment, education, getting or using services, renting or buying a house or unit, and accessing public places, because of their disability.

Question 2

What is Spina Bifida?

Answer 2

A congenital disorder that occurs when bones in the spine fail to seal over correctly before birth to protect the spinal cord.

Question 3

How does Spina Bifida impact intelligence?

Answer 3

Most students with mild SB have intelligence in the normal range. However, students with greater SB may struggle with sustained attention, visual perception, memory and number skills.

Question 4

What is the most serious form of Spina Bifida?

Answer 4

Myelomeningocele SB - results in the impairment of lower body functions; particularly bowel function and incontinence.

Question 5

What is another physical disability commonly associated with Spina Bifida?

Answer 5

Hydrocephalus affects 60-70% of students with SB.
It is the build up of fluid on the brain at birth causing increased pressure.

Question 6

What might students with Hydrocephalus complain of?

Answer 6

A blocked valve or shunt, used to drain fluid may cause an ear or headache.

Question 7

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Answer 7

A disorder of posture, muscle tone and movement resulting from damage to the motor areas of the brain occuring before, during or soon after birth.

Question 8

What are the four types of CP and how are they categorised?

Answer 8

Different types of CP are identified by the part of the brain that is damage and the extent to which it is damaged.
1. Spastic CP - stiffness or tightness of muscles
2. Athetoid - uncontrolled movement resulting from an attempt to move.
3. Ataxic CP - uncontrolled movements or tremor (least common)
4. Mixed CP - a combination of more than one type

Question 9

What are some common difficulties for students with Cerebral Palsy?

Answer 9

PHYSICAL:
- unable to control jaw and face muscles
- hearing and vision impairment
- limited physical coordination
- limited communication skills

OTHER:
- delayed learning capacity
- fatigue
- difficulty maintaining concentration

Question 10

How does Cerebral Palsy impact intelligence?

Answer 10

Approx. 60% of students with moderate to severe CP also have some degree of intellectual complications.

However, some students may not be able to develop speech but may have strong receptive language (understanding).

Question 11

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Answer 11

a genetic disorder that involves progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact.

Question 12

What causes Epilepsy?

Answer 12

Epilepsy is due to abnormal abnormal electrical discharges within specific areas of the brain - that results in seizures. These seizures block incoming sensory information and muscle control.

Question 13

Identify and explain the 2 types of seizures.

Answer 13

Generalised Seizures - involves all areas of the brain. They are characterised by muscle twitches, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.

Partial Seizures - seizure activity involving only a small part of the brain.

Question 14

What does ABI/TBI stand for?

Answer 14

Acquired/Traumatic Brain Injury: any type of brain damage that occurs after birth - this could be from sustained infection, disease, lack of oxygen or a blow to the head.

Question 15

What are some identifying signs of ABI?

Answer 15

Slow information processing
Fatigue
Changes in behaviour, personality, physical and sensory abilities.
Memory and attention difficulties
Motor coordination impairment
Onset of epilepsy

Question 16

What is the approximate number of Australian school students with a physical disability?

Answer 16

“Data collected in 2017 from Australian schools suggest that approximately 3 students in every 100 have a physical disability and receive some form of additional support (ACARA, 2019).”

Question 17

Do physical disabilities impact intelligence?

Answer 17

This can depend on the disability.

Many students are of average or better than average intelligence and as long as appropriate accomodations are made, are able to achieve success in a mainstream school.

However, damage to the brain can cause cognitive delays.

Question 18

What are the benefits of Assistive Technology?

Answer 18

Assistive technology helps to support students with a physical disability. There are a range from low to high tech options that aim to enhance movement, participation and communication.

Question 19

What are some examples of assistive technology?

Answer 19

• scissor and pencil grips
• slanted adjustable writing boards/desks
• electrical wheelchairs
• modified computer keyboards
• iPads and smartphones

Question 20

What does ‘sudden onset’ refer to when discussing ABI?

Answer 20

Brain damage acquired from injury, infection or stroke.

Question 21

What does ‘insidious onset’ refer to when discussing ABI?

Answer 21

Situations in which the brain gradually is become damaged. For example, through alcohol abuse or tumours.

Question 22

Why is Augmentative and Alternative communication important? What does it look like in schools?

Answer 22

AA Communication provides students with the strategies and tools needed to help develop an oral-verbal mode of communication.
This helps to build their social and emotional development and relationships.
eg) Sign language, finger spelling, gesture, picture and symbol systems and computer aided communication.

Question 23

What are some physical impacts of Duchenne MD?

Answer 23

Duchenne is most common in boys (2-6 yrs) and sees a delay in walking, difficulty jumping, a waddling gait and difficulty getting off the floor.