Lesser Known Disorders
Each issue of this series contains at least three lesser known disorders. Some of these disorders may contain subtypes which will also be presented. You will also notice that each disorder has a code. These codes represent the coding system for all disabilities and disorders listed in the Educator’s Diagnostic Manual(EDM) Wiley Publications.
Disorders in this issue:
OHI 5.00 Alpers Disease
Disability Category- Other Health Impaired
Definition
Alpers’ disease is a rare, genetically determined disease of the brain that causes progressive degeneration of grey matter in the cerebrum (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2005c). Alpers Disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that begins during childhood (University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, 2000).
Diagnostic Symptoms
Diagnostic symptoms of Alpers Disease include (Loyola University Health System, 2000):
- Convulsions early in a child’s development
- Developmental delay
- Progressive mental retardation
- Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
- Spasticity (stiffness of the limbs)
- Dementia
- Liver conditions such as jaundice and cirrhosis that can lead to liver failure
Further Key Points
The prognosis for individuals with Alpers’ disease is poor. Those with the disease usually die within their first decade of life. Continuous, unrelenting seizures often lead to death. Liver failure and cardio respiratory failure may also occur. Liver failure and cardio respiratory failure may also occur (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2005c).
LD 10.04 Vestibular Dysfunction Sensory Integration Disorder
Disability Category- Specific Learning Disability
Definition
A type of sensory integration disorder specifically associated with difficulties in processing information coming from the vestibular receptors located inside the ears (Packer, 2004).
Explanation
Vestibular processing refers to the information that is provided by the receptors within the inner ear. These receptors are stimulated by movement of the head and input from other senses. This input tells where we are in relation to gravity, whether we are still or moving, how fast we are going, and in which direction. It also influences the development of balance, equilibrium, postural control and muscle tone.
If a child’s vestibular system doesn’t develop or integrate normally, she may be hypersensitive to ordinary childhood activities such as swinging on swings, going down slides, etc. She may also experience difficulty walking on or negotiating nonlevel surfaces such as hills or stairs. Children with this kind of hypersensitive vestibular system often appear clumsy. But not all children with vestibular dysfunction are hypersensitive. Some are under- or hyposensitive. Children with hyposensitive vestibular systems often engage in what appears to be sensation-seeking behaviors. They may whirl around like a dervish, jump, and/or spin (Packer, 2004).
According to Hatch-Rassmusen (2001), symptoms of students with Vestibular Dysfunction Sensory Integration Disorder include:
- Becomes over-excited watching other children moving
- Craves or avoids movement
- Creates self movement-i.e. rocking, moving or re-positioning in chair
- Daredevil behaviors
- Decreased attention to task
- Dislikes upside down play
- Erratic arousal level
- Fear of going up/down stairs
- Fearful when feet leave the ground
- In constant motion
- Poor or decreased balance skills
- Putting head in upside down position or rapid head turning/shaking
- Running or moving about quickly
- Spinning self or objects
- Toe walking
- Up and down out of seat frequently or falling off of chair
OI 8.03-Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
Disability Category – Other Health Impaired
Definition
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 10 (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004). Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis usually occurs from about age 4 to the onset of puberty-roughly age 10 or 11 for girls, age 12 for boys (National Scoliosis Foundation, 2003).
Explanation
The symptoms of this disorder include:
- Occurs with an onset between 4 and 9 years
- Relatively uncommon condition
- Prognosis is worse than adolescent group
- Spinal fusion may be necessary before puberty
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