Other Health Impairment (OHI) Disabilities Category and an In-Depth Look at the Most Common Neurobiological Condition for Students

Introduction

The Other Health Impairment (OHI) disability category refers to a condition that causes limited strength, vitality or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment due to a chronic or acute health problem and adversely affects a child’s educational performance (IDEA, 2004). This disability category may include, but is not limited to, one or a combined type of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, kidney disease, Sickle cell anemia and Tourette Syndrome.

As a result of the child’s Other Health Impairment, as described above, the child is prevented from receiving reasonable educational benefit from general education as evidenced by one or more of the following: limited strength as indicated by an inability to perform typical tasks at school, limited vitality as indicated by an inability to sustain effort or to endure throughout an activity and/or limited alertness as indicated by an inability to manage or maintain attention, to organize or to attend, to prioritize environmental stimuli, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment.

In school year 2019-2020 there were1,079,301 students across the United States, outlying areas and freely associated states identified with a disability included in the Other Health Impairment (OHI) category. It is not the sole existence of the disability or condition that determines if a student may receive services. The degree to which the student’s education is adversely affected, state policies and assessments from a psychological evaluation are reviewed by the IEP team, led by a school psychologist, to determine if the student qualifies for special education services.

In many cases extended absence due to the medical condition or daily school nurse services are necessary to make sure the student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). By their very nature, Other Health Impairments involve medical care and medical concerns. The amount of time that must be devoted to doctor visits, medical appointments, hospitalization, and seeing to the child’s well-being will depend greatly on the nature and severity of the child’s health impairment. For many families, the actual medical care of their child can be a daily, weekly, or monthly challenge. It’s not uncommon for a child with an OHI to be absent for long periods of time, especially if hospitalization is necessary. During these times, the public school remains responsible for providing educational and related services to the eligible student. Because IDEA specifically says that special education can be provided in a range of settings, including the home or the hospital, states and school districts will have policies and approaches for addressing children’s individualized needs and circumstances.

Many different conditions can be covered under the OHI category. It is not possible to include all of them in this chapter. The school nurse is an excellent reference for answering teacher’s immediate questions. The family relationship is essential for teachers to understand the student’s needs. One condition included in the Other Health Impairment-minor category that educators can expect to accommodate in the classroom is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is a included in the OHI category if the severity impairs the student’s ability to learn. The condition always qualifies a student for services under the 504 Rehabilitation Act Plan for a 504 Plan. Because of the prevalence of students with this condition the remainder of this chapter will focus on an excerpt of one student’s school experience, the theoretical groundings, and strategies for success for students. ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors or be overly active. There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual: