Orthopedic and Muscular Impairments

• Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly following birth. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. It is neither progressive nor communicable. It is also not curable, although education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive lives. Teachers should take fine motor skill impairment into account when planning for such a student.

• Muscular Dystrophy: a genetic degenerative disorder characterized by weakness and atrophy of muscle without involvement of the nervous system. Teacher should take into account muscle atrophy and limited mobility.

• Spina Bifida: a developmental anomaly of the spinal column in which spinal membranes and sometimes the spinal cord protrude through the vertebral column. Also, spinal dysrhaphis. Teachers should take child's use of leg braces into account.

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Known in laymen's terms as "brittle bone disease," osteogenesis imperfecta is characterized by abnormal fragility of the bones. Common features of the disease are bones that break easily, deformities and short stature. Teachers should take bone frailty into account.