Orthopedic Impairment Resources
WAC 392-172A-01035 1(d) states speech and language pathology, audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy services, may be provided as specially designed instruction, if the student requires those therapies as specially designed instruction, and meets the eligibility requirements which include a disability, adverse educational impact and need for specially designed instruction. They are provided as a related service under WAC 392-172A-01155 when the service is required to allow the student to benefit from specially designed instruction.
Bright Hub Education provides information on classroom adaptations to support students with orthopedic impairments.
Orthopedic Impairment. A severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly (e.g. clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments caused by disease (e.g. poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
There is some confusion in the field regarding the provision of Occupational and Physical therapy as specially designed instruction. Some believe that it can only be provided as a related service.