Case Study on Physical and Health Disabilities

Instructional
Strategies

Marta

#1
Instructional
content
strategy
#2

#1
Instructional
procedures
strategy
#2

#1
Instructional
environment
strategy
#2

Andre

While it is difficult to assess Marta, it

appears her intelligence is in the normal
range and she should have access to the
general curriculum.

Andre should have access to the general

curriculum, as he has no signs of cognitive
problems in the classroom.

Being in a wheelchair, Marta should learn

how to transfer to sitting in a chair, the bed,
and the toilet if she is able to promote
independence moving forward.

Make sure Andre is trained in the signs of a

seizure. While he wont be able to prevent it,
at least he can prepare for it and let
someone know that can also help. He said
he gets a funny taste in his mouth and that is
one of many potential warning signs.
Andre should have an individualized health
plan (IHP) so his teachers have information
about his health care status (in case he has
a seizure in class) and prescribed health
care procedures (to know his medical
needs).
Make sure instruction is planned around
Andres medication time to ensure that he
gets full instruction as well as his medical
needs taken care of.

Marta should have an individualized health

plan (IHP) for teachers to know health
history and an action plan for school
personnel with conditions to be monitored
and health care procedures for her ailments.
While Marta hasnt shown any behavioral
issues yet, she is 7 and bound to show some
eventually. Even if not due to her disability, I
would still recommend a positive behavior
support plan to be proactive in setting a
positive tone in the class.
Because she is in a wheelchair and has
problems controlling her voluntary motor
movements, provider her with a wheelchair
table and materials that are easy to grasp
and hold.
A teacher would need to ensure the
classroom was fully accessible for the
wheelchair; including doors and rows of
desks. Eliminate any structures that would
prevent easy flow throughout the classroom.

Make sure staff and classmates are trained

in the signs of a seizure so they know when
they are occurring with Andre. Sometimes,
in an absence seizure, warning signs might
not be as noticeable (or even at all).
In case of an emergency when a seizure
occurs, be sure to have open space around
Andres seat and work area so no further
injuries occur.

Ben
A transition plan for Ben should include a
Transition Portfolio with is personal data,
medical information, educational
programming, communication needs, and
reinforcement strategies. This would help
with his transition into college and the real
world.
With his new short-term memory problems, I
would also incorporate cognitive strategies to
monitor and adjust Bens attention level.

Since Ben is having difficulty accepting his

changes, I would make sure he is provided
with emotional support to learn coping
strategies.
I would also incorporate a similar plan for
Bens parents, as they are also struggling
accepting the changes they have seen with
Ben. Ensure the parents understand that
recovery takes time and skills do not emerge
and reemerge at the same time, or maybe
even ever.
Provide Ben with preferential seating near
the front of the class to help with paying
attention, as well as away from potential
distractions.
Sit Ben near a peer buddy in class to help
stay on track with school work and receive
help, as needed.

Instructional
Strategies

Marta

#1
Instructional
technology
strategy
#2

#1
Peers and
socialization
strategy
#2

Marta should continue using her computer

with adapted keyboard to continue
completing her school assignments.

Since she struggles with motor skills and her

arms are affected by the CP, Marta should
also be allowed to use a touchscreen device
to eliminate the use of a mouse.

Make sure the class (and entire school even)

is well informed on cerebral palsy; the
causes, characteristics, etc. This would
answer some of Martas peers questions
and increase the peer interaction.
I would recommend Marta join a club/group
after school to not only increase her peer
interactions, but also her feeling of self-worth
and achievement.

Andre

Ben

Andre should have positioning devices

readily available to him in the classroom in
case of an emergency situation when a
seizure takes place in the classroom. This
will ensure safety for him and those around
him.
It doesnt seem as though Andre has any
needs for additional instruction technology
strategies, but I would still have assistive
technology available to him. After a seizure
of severe magnitude, he made be aided by
touchscreens, enlarged text, and /or verbal
decoders.
I would have Andre teach a lesson to his
classmates on seizures - the causes, how to
react to them, etc. to inform them and to
build a level of open communication
between himself and his peers.

Provide Ben with adapted learning materials,

as needed, as he may have problems with
word decoding, reading comprehension,
spelling, and/or the written language.

Andre is in the 6th grade, so I would

encourage him to join some clubs and/or
activities to increase his peer interactions.

For math (and other subjects, as needed),

be sure to provide visuals and learning aids
to assist in grouping, counting, and adding
lessons.

Ben would be a good candidate to work with

a peer advocacy group in his school (and
others in the area) discussing the dangers of
bad decision making and driving while
distracted. This could help improve his selfworth and guide peers into good decision
making.
While Ben is nearing the end of his high
school career, I would encourage him to join
a few clubs to increase his peer interaction.
This might help with is frustrations to the
changes that have occurred due to the
accident.