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Physical Impairment (PI)

Definition

A physical impairment is defined as a dysfunction of the musculoskeletal and/or neurological body systems, which affects the functional ability of a student to move or coordinate movement.

Departmental Criteria

Verification for the EAP disability category of Physical Impairment is based on two criteria.

Criterion 1: Diagnosis of the musculoskeletal and/or neurological dysfunction affecting the ability of a student to move or coordinate movement.

Criterion 2: Information provided by the school on the activity limitations and participation restrictions of the diagnosed condition in at least two of the domains of gross mobility, fine mobility, self-care and communication. Information on gross mobility or fine mobility must be at least one of the domains.

Evidence

Criterion 1: Diagnosis of the musculoskeletal and/or neurological dysfunction affecting the ability of a student to move or coordinate movement.

Diagnosis of the musculoskeletal and/or neurological dysfunction affecting the ability of a student to move or coordinate movement must be provided by a registered medical specialist including a paediatrician, neurologist, orthopaedic specialist, geneticist or rheumatologist.

The diagnosis can be provided from the medical specialist by a signed report or letter naming the condition or by completing the Medical Specialist section in Part B of the EAP Verification Form - PI (EAP 6). The specialist information must be current. This does not mean that the report needs to be recent but rather that the information within the report is reflective of the student at the time of the verification request.

Information from the school on the activity limitations and participation restrictions occurring for the student at school is provided by the school team. The activity limitations are evidenced by information on the student's current difficulties with movement in the areas of gross mobility, fine mobility, self care and communication activities in the school environment. The participation restrictions are evidenced by the difficulties in participating in curriculum areas at school. This information is to be provided in the Activity Limitations and Participation Restrictions of the Diagnosed Condition table in Part B of the verification form EAP Verification Form - PI (EAP 6).

Information on activity limitations and participation restrictions can be provided by the student's class teacher in consultation with the school team and advisory visiting teacher in physical impairment if available.

Review of Verification

For a review of verification, the school follows the same steps as for an initial verification. It is important for schools to check whether both Criterion 1 and Criterion 2 need to be reviewed or only Criterion 2.

Removal from the EAP Disability Category of Physical Impairment

In some instances, a student may no longer meet the criteria for the EAP disability category of Physical Impairment. To remove a student from the disability category, evidence that the student no longer meets criteria must be collected and recorded using the EAP Verification Form - PI (EAP 6). Supporting documentation is required to request a removal including information from a medical specialist that the medical condition no longer exists (e.g. Perthes disease) or information from the school demonstrating minimal activity limitations and participation restrictions from the existing medical condition.

Verification Form

Use EAP Verification Form - PI (EAP 6) - available on the EAP website.

Prompts for PI Criterion 2 Form have been developed to assist with the completion of the Criterion 2 section. The prompts are a guide and school teams need to only report on those prompts relevant for that student.

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