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Spina Bifida literally means “split spine.” It happens when a fetus is in the womb and
the spinal column does not close all of the way. It is the most common birth defect that
disables people for the rest of their lives. No one knows for sure what causes spina bifida.
There are 4 different types of spina bifida that vary from mild to severe within the spinal
cord. Fortunately, all types of spina bifida can be treated with surgery and have good
results. Those with spina bifida may have mental and
social problems, but there are also many physical conditions associated with spina bifida and
they include: problems with walking and getting around or going to the bathroom, latex allergy,
obesity, skin breakdown, gastrointestinal disorders, learning disabilities, depression,
and tendonitis. These limitations also include the use of crutches, braces or wheelchairs.
In our classrooms, these physical limitations are relatively easy to address and make specific
modifications. It is usually a matter of making the environment safe and giving the students
the ability to get around, especially when in a shop or farm setting.
Modifying our coursework is more difficult when addressing the mental or social problems.
In evaluating a community college student that I might encounter with spina bifida,
I found a wonderful chart on the spina bifida association’s website that discusses reading,
math, and executive functions. In regards to reading, a student with spina bifida may
have a less developed reading comprehension level and a lower understanding of inference.
In math, these students may have difficulty in computation accuracy, speed and problem
solving which could interfere with “real world” skills such as price comparison,
banking, budgeting, the value of money and concepts of time. When addressing executive
functions, which is one’s ability to connect past experiences with current activities such
as organizing, planning, remembering details and time management, these students could
potentially have difficulty. I would need to step in and assist them as I would help
a student with AD/HD and work to keep them organized, break the assignments down into
smaller segments and give clear, concise instructions and expectations.
The website also discussed the fact that those with spina bifida have more difficulty keeping
a job. It is here, that we as agricultural and vocational teachers can step in and help
them learn the skills necessary for jobs they might hold in the future. By helping insure
our labs and shops are safe, we can help these students learn the trades necessary for employment
in their futures.