What is Locomotor?

Those who are locomotor impaired may struggle with moving from place to place when it comes to using their: bones, joints, and/or muscles. Those with a locomotor impairment may struggle with:

• Moving their upper limbs

• Moving their lower limbs

• Moving through trunk

• Impairment due to dwarfism

• Impairment due to amputation

• Impairment due to neurological conditions

• Impairment due to cardiopulmonary diseases

Usually a locomotor impairment is much easier to provide accommodations and modifications because it is easily seen by the teacher due to the struggle with physical movements. There are many things to keep in mind when setting up a classroom and lessons for students who are locomotor impaired learners to ensure they have access to the same materials and quality learning as their general education peers which would include:

• Accommodated tools like: pencils, scissors, clipboards to hold paper at an alternate angle (slant board).

• Offering work at different levels: on the floor, on the wall (so the student can stand), etc. 

• Offering frequent breaks so the student doesn’t  become tired from using their limbs. 

•  Alternate computer devices (iPad instead of laptop) so student can have access to the same computer software as general education peers. 

• Alternate seating accommodations and arrangements. For instance, they may need a taller or shorter chair/desk for working. They may also need more room around them if they are struggling with controlling their upper limbs.

Whether a student has a locomotor impairment or not, the above accommodations and modifications could help any growing student because they may need a different seating arrangement just like we do. You have to put yourself in their shoes: Do you like sitting for 6 hours straight or would you need to get up and move, how often would you need to move? Once I started to work from home I noticed that I need to get up and move some days every 45 minutes it feels like but other days I can sit for hours and focus. Each day is different for each students needs and being aware of that and offering options will only help them in the long run. This Locomotor page will serve as a place to house all future locomotor ideas for teachers and parents on ways they can arrange the room and environment for a growing student to meet their daily needs so I hope you enjoy learning along with me and until next time,

Happy Teaching :)