The most important thing is making sure each child gets the right support, whatever that might look like. While every student’s needs are different, several key areas should be considered for students with orthopedic impairment as their IEP eligibility.
OI specialist: This service provider should always be included in an IEP for a student who qualifies under OI. An O&M specialist would only be added once a student has qualified for vision services.
Health and nursing services: This can include medication administration, medical monitoring, or assistance with medical devices. A healthcare plan makes sure there are trained staff available to help and provides a clear plan for what to do if they’re not there.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy supports mobility, including walking, transferring, and using mobility aids. Not all students with OI need PT; for those who face mobility, balance, or accessibility challenges, PT can play a key role in supporting their independence.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy helps with motor planning skills and fine motor skills. OTs help kids build the skills they need to take part in daily life, especially when fine motor tasks are tricky.
Support staff: Instructional assistants should observe therapy sessions so they can reinforce skills throughout the day. Another key IEP consideration is ensuring that students do not become overly reliant on just one aide.
Adapted physical education (APE): It helps them develop movement skills — such as walking, jumping, skipping, or even tasks like holding a ball or picking up objects with one hand — so they can participate more fully in PE and other activities.
For more information, see our full article Orthopedic Impairment 101.
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