Orthopedic impairment is one of the 13 categories of disabilities under IDEA. These disorders affect body movement and muscle coordination and may stem from brain conditions or other disorders affecting muscles. These disabilities can affect the student’s ability to access education in a variety of ways, so goals, related services, adaptive PE and assistive technology may be necessary.

The Utah Board of Education Special Education Rules, page 44,  define an Orthopedic Impairment as a “severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).

Some examples, not an all inclusive list, include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, clubfoot, muscular dystrophy and  juvenile rheumatoid arthritis”

It’s very helpful to read more about orthopedic impairments. The following are links to additional information:

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Utah

The mission of UCP is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. This link takes you to  a Facebook page.

Foundations of Independence: Cerebral Palsy of Utah

FFI is a private non-profit agency which provides services to people with disabilities. This site has descriptions of a variety of disabilities, resources and programs.

Utah’s Collaborative Medical Home Project

A Medical Home is not a building, house, or hospital, but rather an approach to providing health care services in a high quality and cost effective manner. Children and their families who have a medical home receive the care that they need from a pediatrician or physician whom they know and trust. The pediatric health care professionals and parents act as partners in a Medical Home to identify and access all the medical and non-medical services needed to help children and their families achieve their maximum potential. Visit this website to find out more about the Medical Home Project.

Medical Home Portal is a unique source of reliable information about children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), offering a “one-stop shop” for their:

  • Families
  • Physicians and Medical Home teams
  • Other Professionals and Caregivers

Shriners Hospital

The Intermountain Shriners Hospital is a 40-bed pediatric orthopaedic hospital providing comprehensive orthopaedic care to children at no charge. The hospital is one of 22 Shriners Hospitals throughout North America. The Intermountain Hospital accepts and treats children with routine and complex orthopaedic problems, utilizing the latest treatments and technology available in pediatric orthopaedics, resulting in early ambulation, and reduced length of stay.

Spina Bifida Association

The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of spina bifida. Since 1973, SBAA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with spina bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research, and service.

Project IDEAL: Orthopedic Impairments

This website contains a variety of information to help teachers understand disabilities and how to work with students with disabilities including a variety of videos and ideas for accommodations.  

March of Dimes

This March of Dimes site provides information on a variety of birth defects including symptoms, causes and treatments.

Orthopedic Impairments

This YouTube video is a brief slide show about orthopedic impairments

Muscular Dystrophy Association

MDA is an organization providing research, services and information about muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases.

Kids Get Arthritis, Too

Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, this site provides information about juvenile arthritis. Information is provided for younger children and teens.