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Definitions—Characteristics and Classifications of OHD

As a paraprofessional, you may work with many students. Each student will have different reasons for needing your support. However, when you support a student with a health condition, it is helpful to be familiar with the specific condition. This lesson will introduce you to some of the most common health conditions that you might encounter, including those listed below:

This is not meant to be a complete list of the health conditions you might encounter, but rather a list of common health conditions. As a paraprofessional working with a student who has a health condition impacting his/her learning, you should take time to familiarize yourself with the student’s specific condition. Learning about the student’s health condition may mean you have to gather information on the condition. Fact sheets on the conditions listed below are available at http://www.nesc.k12.mn.us/special_ed/fact_sheets/index.htm.

• Acquired Brain Injury
• Asthma
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
• Broncho Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
• Burns
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Crohn's Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Diabetes
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lead Poisoning
• Leukemia
• Lupus
• Lyme Disease
• Metabolic Disorders
• Migraines
• Neurofibromatosis
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Primary Immune Deficiency
• Seizure Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Sleep Disorder
• Static Encephalpathy
• Transplants
• Tuberous Sclerosis
• Turner Syndrome

These fact sheets include the following information:

• A description of the health condition (generally titled About the Disorder).
• A list of Symptoms or Behaviors associated with the health condition.
• A list of Educational Implications (facts, cautions, and other information that may or can impact the learning and educational experiences of a student with this health condition).
• A list of Instructional Strategies and Classroom Accommodations that will help you work with your supervisor, teacher, or other educational or healthcare professional to modify the learning environment and adapt the educational approaches for a student with a specific health condition.
• A list of local, state, and national Resources for use by you and other educational personnel and health care providers.

A second helpful approach is to ask questions of the student with a health condition, of members of his/her family and support network, school personnel, and health care providers. Here is a list of “starter” questions you might ask:

• Ask the student to tell you about his/her health condition and what it means to him/her personally.
• Ask the student’s parents and other family members about the health condition, and see if they can recommend resources that would help you better understand the student’s health and educational needs.
• Ask the school nurse about the student’s health condition and the effects it has on the students ability to learn and function. Also, ask her/him to recommend resources on the student’s specific health condition.
• Take time to research on your own; go to the school or public library to look up information on the specific health condition, do an Internet search on the health condition, especially on the Web sites of local or national organizations and foundations, such as the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, and National Institutes of Health.

The more knowledge and understanding you have about the student’s specific health and educational needs, the easier it will be for you to adapt the educational activities to meet the needs of the student. This, in turn, will help you support the student in a more meaningful and effective manner.

References  

Minnesota Department of Education. (2007). Other Health Disabilities Companion Manual (Draft). St. Paul: Author. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/SpecialEd/documents/Publication/001683.pdf

The Para eLink is sponsored by the Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, located at the Institute on Community Integration in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

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