Other Health Impaired

Other Health Impaired means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but is not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury. To be eligible of exceptional student education there must be evidence of a health impairment that results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and adversely affects a student's performance in the educational environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is meant by Other Health Impairment? Other Health Impaired 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 is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but is not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury. To be eligible of exceptional student education there must be evidence of a health impairment that results in reduced efficiency in schoolwork and adversely affects a student’s performance in the educational environment.

• When might I suspect that my child has an Other Health Impairment? Most children with other health impairment may be diagnosed by the family physician in the early years of childhood or infancy. Some may be diagnosed later when the child appears delayed in gross and/or fine motor skills or following a serious accident or injury.

• If I have a concern, what should I do?
  • First consult with your child's pediatrician and/or family physician and explain your concerns.
  • If your child is between the ages of 3 to 5, please contact Child Find 321-633-1000 ext. 11555
  • Talk with your child's teacher and determine if s/he has special needs or seems delayed in gross and fine motor skills.
  • Request an educational planning team meeting at the child's school. If further evaluations are required, ask questions to increase your understanding of what you should expect as an outcome of the evaluations.

• Will my child need special services throughout his/her school years? A student who qualifies for the Other Health Impaired program may require a specialized educational program until such time s/he learns to develop abstract concepts and skills and be more independent in the educational setting. Because children who have other health impairments do not grow out of their disability, it is important to diagnose them as soon as possible so the child can be provided the necessary services to allow them full opportunities to participate in classroom activities.

• What services are available through the schools? Brevard Public Schools has a continuum of services for students who are other health impaired from preschool through age 22. These services range from consultation to placement in a self-contained classroom. Classes are located on regular school campuse. The amount of time a student spends in exceptional education classes is determined by individual needs that are identified on the student’s individual educational plan (IEP). Specialized instructional strategies, modifications and accommodations help the child participate in the curriculum. Environmental accommodations make a school campus accessible. Related services, such as Nursing, Occupational and Physical Therapy, are provided to eligible students. Transportation is provided by the school district.

Service Delivery Models

• Consultation - The student remains in the regular classroom. School personnel, such as an ESE teacher or therapist, consults with the student's classroom teacher regarding progress the student has made in the classroom.

• Itinerant/Resource Services - Students are pulled out of the regular classroom for part of the school day to receive instructional skills, as needed. 

• Self-Contained Services - Students spend almost all of their instructional day with a teacher knowledgeable in exceptional education. The class size is usually smaller than a regular education class. There may be more than one grade level in the class.  Environmental or curriculum modification(s) and special transportation needs are provided by the district.

How will the program benefit my child?

The program Other Health Impaired will provide the appropriate specialized services, as well as curriculum adaptations/modifications and therapies, to assist the student in meeting classroom demands. Proper placement and support will hopefully enable the student to function successfully within the family structure and as a contributing member of society. The program strives to assist the student to be educationally and physically independent, and assist them to achieve academically.

Once in the program the emphasis is on teaching the student to adapt to his/her health impairment. Each year, you will meet with your child's teacher and other professionals to review and develop an individual educational plan (IEP) to meet the needs of your child.