The chapter highlights that there is a growing incidence of physical disability in children in United States. Physical ability is affected in multifactorial ways including accidents, chronic diseases such as cancer; childhood obesity, AIDS and other health conditions. It increases the need of special education services for the effected children. Special educators can provide relieve to the children with physical disabilities if they are well acquainted with the type of accommodations required by them and aware of the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the patients. The educators must be sensitive to the lived experiences of the children such as teasing, recurrent hospitalisations, and restricted activities. They experience discrimination such as denial of education, participation in recreation and competitive games. The educators must inspire and encourage these children to pursue talents and believe in their ideas. Physical disability should not be barrier to accomplish one’s dreams. For instance, in 2010 two sisters Ali and Christina with Cystic Fibrosis have made up to finals of America Got Talent. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the physical disability.
Physical disability can be prevented if society stops stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination of these children according to Hallahan et al. (2011). For instance, there are wide varieties of physical disabilities and conditions may differ in severity. Hence, one cannot make valid generalisations related to academic achievement of such children. People with only physical disabilities such as deformed hand or legs may grab the lectures faster then those with both physical and mental disability such as sensory impairment or cognitive disorders. Therefore, there must be innovative ways of teaching that is compatible with the individual child’s disability. The psychological characteristics of the children with disability are various. Thus, adaption to their limitation depends on the parental care, social connectedness, acceptance by friends and teachers.
Recently there is a greater use of prosthetics, orthotics, and other adaptive devices. However, there must be greater availability of such devices. With the advent of the technological innovation, children with physical disability are able to resume their functioning in daily life. There are some disabilities, which cannot be prevented such as avoiding seat belts and increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore greater focus should be laid on residual function and reliability.
The author has well presented the data supporting with evidence from peer-reviewed article. The lucid language is helpful in easy grab of concept and enlightened the readers with multiple aspects associated with physical disability in children and their progress in education. The author diligently illuminated the positive and negative implications of current disability status and areas of controversies to be resolved.
References
Hallahan, D. P., Kauffman, J. M., & Pullen, P. C. (2011). Exceptional learners: An introduction to special education. Pearson Higher Ed.
