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Lower Motor Neuron Disorders
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease that affects the central nervous system with resulting residual paralysis or weakness of skeletal muscles. Damage occurs as a result of the virus attacking and damaging the nerve endings in the spinal cord and brain stem. Recently, some individuals who seemed to have successfully reduced the negative effects of polio are developing symptoms of what is known as Post-Polio Syndrome. Adaptive equipment such as crutches, braces and wheelchairs may be used to aid in mobility. These also serve to conserve energy in the individual. Notetakers and testing accommodations may be necessary. Fatigue may be a negative factor for academic work.
Peripheral Nerve Injury
Damage or injury, by laceration, compression or disease, to the nerves outside of the central nervous system can result in the loss of sensation and control to the muscles served by the damaged nerves. Where immediate repair or re growth is not possible, other nerves lying near to the damaged ones may branch out and connect to the muscles that were served by the damaged nerves. Though the recovery of muscle strength may occur, the resultant loss of sensation may not. Sensitivity to temperature, pain or pressure may not return. Therefore, it is important that the student who has experienced peripheral nerve damage realizes his/her limitations and act accordingly. Situations that necessitate the use of our senses (i.e., working in a biology lab with caustic chemicals and fire) require special focus on the part of the student with the sensory impairment. Accommodations required by the individual who has experienced a peripheral nerve injury would be relative to the degree of involvement. Notetakers, lab assistants, testing accommodations and lockers may be some of the type of accommodations that will be necessary.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy can be generally grouped into disorders that cause deterioration of selected groups of muscles. There are several types of muscular dystrophy, each with its own relative time of onset and pace of progression. Relative to the type, age of onset, progression of the disease and current medical needs of the individual, accommodations would be provided. The use of on campus transportation, blue curb parking, note-taking, adaptive/assistive equipment, test-taking accommodations and lockers are some of the type of accommodations that may be necessary.
Spinal Cord Injury
Compression, contusion, laceration and hemorrhage to the spinal cord can cause sensory and/or motor impairment. The consequences of any of these types of trauma may be permanent or temporary, depending on the location and severity of the infliction. The degree to which the individual is affected by the spinal cord injury will be largely determined by the location of the injury. The accommodations required will depend largely upon the type of injury and its location.Blue Curb parking, on campus transportation, a wheelchair accessible table instead of a desk, elevators, automatic doors, scribe for testing and a notetaker are some of the types of accommodations that may be reasonable to provide.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pain, tingling, numbness and burning are among the symptoms reported by individuals who have been diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome. Though there are diseases which can affect the median nerve in the wrist, the most common etiology of this disorder is due to repetitive use of the hands. It can also follow injury to the wrists. If pressure is not relieved, the pain and symptoms experienced may increase and affect the upper arms, shoulder and neck. Notetakers, scribe or additional time for exams for resting the hand may be appropriate, but many students find the voice-activated software to be very helpful, although slow. Use of a CCTV or book holders may relieve some pain in the upper body.