Welcome to the special education instructor course on Physical or Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI) Disorders and Disabilities. This course focuses on one of the categories for which students are eligible for special education supports including supplementary aids and services.
Section 300.8(c)(9) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states:
(9) Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that—
- (i) Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis [a kidney disorder], rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome; and
- (ii) Adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
Some limitations may be very severe and noticeable, while others are almost hidden or non-apparent. The most common barrier to academic success for a student with a physical disability is access. As with all other disabilities and impairments, it is important to treat students with physical disabilities fairly. Students with physical disabilities typically are very knowledgeable of both their limitations and abilities and are accustomed to communicating their needs to others.
This course requires 30 hours of study time to complete all assignments and the reflection questions. There are eight written assignments, plus the student case study and reflection questions at the end of the course, which will give you the opportunity to apply what you have learned throughout this course.