Spina Bifida

Definition:

Spina bifida, which literally means “cleft spine,” is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). ("Spina bifida" 2009)

The two forms of spina bifida are spina bifida occulta and spina bifida manifesta.

Spina bifida occulta is the mildest form of spina bifida (occulta means hidden). Most children with this type of defect never have any health problems, and the spinal cord is often unaffected.

Spina bifida manifesta includes two types of spina bifida:

1. Meningocele involves the meninges, the membranes responsible for covering and protecting the brain and spinal cord. If the meninges push through the hole in the vertebrae (the small, ring-like bones that make up the spinal column), the sac is called a meningocele.
2. Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. It occurs when the meninges push through the hole in the back, and the spinal cord also pushes though. Most babies who are born with this type of spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in and around the brain.
   

^^Taken from ("Spina bifida" 2009)

Characteristics:

Myelomeningocele - may include muscle weakness or paralysis below the area of the spine where the incomplete closure (or cleft) occurs, loss of sensation below the cleft, and loss of bowel and bladder control. In some cases there maybe fluid build up and cause an accumulation of fluid in the brain ("Spina bifida fact sheet" 2009).

In less serve cases, the children will be able to walk with the help of a walker, braces, or crutches.

Review:

Children with Spina Bifida from birth face the chance of never being able to walk again. Some of these children end up paralyzed for life. While other children with spina bifida need accomodations to help them walk such as a walker, braces, or crutches. Most children with spina bifida do not face problems in their learning.

Summary:

Most children with spina bifida do not need accomdations when it comes to learning in a classroom setting. The accomaditions they do need is when it comes to walking and moving around. Some of the students will be using a walker, braces, or crutches.

Organization:

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Tel: 800-695-0285
Fax: 202-884-8441

Spina Bifida Association
4590 MacArthur Blvd. NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007-4266
sbaa@sbaa.org
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org
Tel: 202-944-3285 800-621-3141
Fax: 202-944-3295

Federal Laws

• IDEA - gives grants to the state, and organizations in order to support research for the disability, and grants to colleges or non-profit organizations also to support research, advances in technology or parent-training and information centers.


• NCLB - (No Child Left Behind Act) The act was created in order for states and school districts to be held more accountable in making sure that “all students reach certain proficiency standards in a specified amount of time.” If these standards are not met in time, students may switch to a higher performing schools or receive other services such as tutoring. This also points to the school’s curriculum, teacher qualify, and parental rights. Children with disabilities must be included in standardized testing, and this will determine whether the school meets the specified standard; “95% of students with disabilities must participate in the annual testing.”


• SECTION 504 - “This is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents certain rights to review and request changes in their child's school records as well as requiring parental permission for the release of education records except under specified circumstances” (Special Education).


• ADA – “The landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by employers, public accommodations, state and local governments, public and private transportation, and in telecommunications” (Special Education).

Works Cited

Spina bifida fact sheet. (2007, December 11). Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/detail_spina_bifida.htm

Spina bifida. (2009, December 02). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/spina_bifida.html