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What does OHI Mean?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The term "other health impairment" (OHI) refers to physical or mental impairments that can affect a child’s performance at school. The term is usually used in association with drawing up an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), or a 504 Education Plan, for a student in a public school setting. An IEP or 504 may also be made for children in private schools, but private schools are not required to modify curriculum or services for a child with such an impairment.

An OHI is part of a general group of health issues that can have an impact on student performance. A child with significant asthma might be considered to have such an impairment, as can children with ADD or ADHD. In addition, those suffering from heart defects, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, or severe diabetes may suffer from poor performance in a public school setting. Other conditions that fall into this category include cancer, liver disease, or sickle cell anemia.

Physical or mental impairments that have an affect upon a child's school performance may be referred to as OHI.
Physical or mental impairments that have an affect upon a child's school performance may be referred to as OHI.

This type of health condition may be either a temporary condition, as in cancer, or a permanent one. The degree to which a condition can be treated will be taken into account in an education plan formed for the child. For example, a child with sickle cell anemia is not likely to improve, but may from time to time be free from painful episodes. When such is the case, higher expectations may be in place. Likewise, a child suffering from curable cancer may have temporary OHI status, and then when the child is well, educational expectations may be raised and any 504 or IEP plan discarded.

Children affected by OHI may be eligible for friendship groups.
Children affected by OHI may be eligible for friendship groups.

Establishing this status is fairly simple, though it does involve allowing access to a child’s medical records. As well, children with a health condition may be assessed at school to see if the condition in fact creates impairment in the classroom. If a child does not seem to be affected academically or socially, then no action may be taken. If an impairment will progress, however, it may be worthwhile to establish that a child has one so that action can be taken in the future, should his or her condition deteriorate.

More than 12 percent of students in U.S. public school classrooms have an IEP in place.
More than 12 percent of students in U.S. public school classrooms have an IEP in place.

Even if the child is not suffering academically, a history of numerous hospitalizations or lengthy illnesses can affect him or her socially. Children who have an established condition may have different rules for behavior or consequences for behavior than children with no health problems. Often, a 504 behavior plan addresses the emotional needs of children who are scarred by more than surgery or medical interventions.

Counseling services are often available for students with other health impairment.
Counseling services are often available for students with other health impairment.

Such children may be eligible for counseling services, friendship groups, or special rewards for good behavior. Some principals take an active role in helping students with an OHI. They might meet with a child once a week to give them extra support or encouragement, although this is not the case with all administrators.

The goal of this health classification is to identify students who will fail in school settings when rules for them are not made or modified. Since the goal of public schools is to help all children get the most from their education, OHI classification can help open new pathways toward most effectively educating students to the best of their abilities.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon291532

I'm working with someone diagnosed with impulsive control disorder. He is in the class 25 percent of the week, but somehow is able to retain information on his way out of class daily.

I want to get him a one-one-one counselor but he's passing with As and Bs. he's still a liability to the school and students at the school because he fights, spits, and disrupts class in many ways, shapes and forms daily, but he won't qualify for assistance because he's somehow retaining information and passing class. What to do?

Joots23

My son is classified OHI and is that cause to collect SSI?

anon158288

will a child with an ohi in place, graduate from high school with a regular diploma?

anon49442

This article was a quick snapshot of the OHI classification. I am curious about children with Autism and the OHI classification. I am a SPED teacher in Philadelphia and I have a few students with the diagnosis and I am desperately searching for resources to help.

anon39563

I have read everything on this page. It was very helpful to me because know I can go to my daughter's school and tell them to help my child more. she has adhd and she has trouble with her reading and math so maybe if I tell them about this, maybe they can help us. Thank you

anon28557

This has been very helpful. My child is ADHD and has had some issues in class this year. He is in second grade. I just recently asked his teacher about being defined as OHI and he said ADHD is not a qualifier for OHI. This article states differently.

anon19031

I am a SPED teacher in an Ohio high school and I was impressed by your site. Good information, nice imbedded links and quick and concise with out over doing the SPED lingo.

anon5492

This article was very helpful.

My child has ADHD and has been categorized as OHI. The school is designing an IEP for her.

The article defined those acronyms and explained their use in a simple, easily understandable manner.

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    • Physical or mental impairments that have an affect upon a child's school performance may be referred to as OHI.
      By: michaeljung
      Physical or mental impairments that have an affect upon a child's school performance may be referred to as OHI.
    • Children affected by OHI may be eligible for friendship groups.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Children affected by OHI may be eligible for friendship groups.
    • More than 12 percent of students in U.S. public school classrooms have an IEP in place.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      More than 12 percent of students in U.S. public school classrooms have an IEP in place.
    • Counseling services are often available for students with other health impairment.
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      Counseling services are often available for students with other health impairment.
    • An individualized education plan may be necessary for a child with numerous hospitalizations.
      By: Monkey Business
      An individualized education plan may be necessary for a child with numerous hospitalizations.