FAQ Sheet About Students with TBI, Physical Disabilities, and Other Health Impairments

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Some students with physical or medical conditions will require special supports to receive an appropriate education. The FAQ sheet below describes the major characteristics of the conditions and how special education and related services can help the student be successful in school.

FAQ Sheet

Who are they?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Students who have sustained serious head injuries that impair their learning ability and sometimes their behavior

Physical disabilities: Students with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or other conditions that affect their ability to walk or use their arms or legs

Other health impairments: Students with chronic health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS, which may or may not be terminal, that cause weakness or fatigue or in some other way adversely affect school performance

What are typical characteristics?

Characteristics of students with TBI vary widely. They may have learning, social, and/or behavioral difficulties; and their abilities may vary from time to time. The conditions of students with physical disabilities may be relatively mild to more severe. Different body parts may be affected. Disabilities may be due to central nervous system damage or muscle or orthopedic impairments. Students with other health impairments may be weak and sometimes in pain. Lack of stamina may often be a debilitating factor. They may miss a lot of school due to their illnesses.

What are the demographics?

Within the school-age population, approximately 0.03% of the students have TBI, about 0.14% have physical disabilities, and about 0.59% have other health impairments.

Where are students educated?

The majority of students with physical disabilities and other health impairments are educated in general classes. Many students with TBI are in general classes, but some are placed in special classes.

What are the outcomes?

The physical, social, emotional, and health challenges faced by students with TBI, physical disabilities, and other health impairments often continue into their adult years. Some conditions such as muscular dystrophy, HIV/AIDS, and cystic fibrosis lead to early death.