Different Types of Disabilities

Different Types of Disabilities

This article is intended to be a helpful guide, providing you with some common disabilities and descriptions which can affect individuals’ everyday lives. We hope this helps provide a basic understanding of the many challenges that Australians’ face each day when they have a disability; you may gain an understanding of a family member or friend who has a disability, and how it impacts their quality of life.

Almost everyone at some point will have a temporary or permanent disability in their life. According to World Health Organisation, around 1 billion individuals, which is 15% of the worlds population, live with some form of disability.

Creating a secure and loving environment around a person who has a disability can help provide an inclusion and allow them to overcome challenges that others may not.

Disabilities and their descriptions

Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities are in reference to those impairments that are associated to mental health, challenges with learning and in the ability to perform daily like skills.

Some examples of these are:

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition caused when an abnormal cell division results in an extra or partial copy of chromosome 21. Each year round 3,000 to 5,000 children are born around the world with down syndrome.

Tuberous sclerosis

This rare genetic disease that causes no cancerous tumours to grow in the brain or the vital organs. It is known to affect 1 in 5000 individuals worldwide.

Physical Disabilities

Physical Disabilities

This refers and describes individuals’ physical impairments that impact the ability to perform physicals activities, such as mobility challenges. A physical disability may permanently or temporary affect a person’s capacity to move. Temporary physical disabilities could be the result or an accident or injury involving the spinal cord.

Some examples of these are:

Spina bifida

A birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can be caused by abnormal brain development or brain damage that affects one’s ability to control one’s muscles.

Speech Disabilities

Speech Disabilities

Permanently or temporary loss of speech, difficulty in speaking or being understood.

Some examples of this are:

Mutism and Selective mutism

Selective mutism a complex anxiety disorder which enables a child the inability to speak or communicate effectively in social settings.  Mutism is the inability to speak, which could be the result or in coordination with a congenital deafness or brain damage.

Apraxia

Apraxia is a neurological disorder that affects the brains pathways to the frontal lobe, which contains the ability to memories learned patterns of movement,

Hearing Disabilities

Hearing Disabilities

Permanently or temporary loss of hearing.

Some examples are:

Conductive hearing loss

This is when the natural movement of sound through the external ear or middle ear become blocked, and the sound does not reach the inner ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss

This kind of hearing loss is caused by damage to the structures in the inner ear or auditory nerve. This isn’t a life-threatening condition; however it can impact a persons ability to communicate effectively if they do not seek medical attention.

Vision Disabilities

Vision Disabilities

This description refers rot blindness and vison impairment, which cannot be correct by using contact lenses or glasses. The impairments is so severe that it can affect a personal ability to perform daily life tasks, communication and be mobile. 

Some examples of this are:

Macular degeneration

The macula is part of the retina and its job s to provide central vision. When abnormal blood vessels leak fluid or blood into the macula it can cause this condition.

Glaucoma

This common eye conditions can cause vison loss and damage to the optics never if left untreated. Regular optometrist appointments can mean early detection and treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This complication of diabetes damages blood vessels indite the retina at the very back of your eye. All people living with diabetes are at risk of developing this condition, so regular optometrist appointments and medical care for the control of your diabetes should be maintained on a regular basis.

Psychiatric disabilities

Psychiatric disabilities

Having a psychologic condition can impact a person’s ability to perform daily life activities. There are a wide range of reasons why a person develops a psychiatric or mental disability.

Some examples are:

Anxiety disorders which include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia.

Other examples can include phobias such as agoraphobia, eating disorders personality disorders and dissociative disorders.

Living with a disability

Living with a disability

In Australia around 4.3 million individuals are living with a disability, so not matter what the condition it is important that everyone feels part of the community and can have the opportunity to live a full and happy life. Whilst some disabilities are clear to see, others are not; getting the right help and education is necessary in moving forward and overcoming life’s challenges. Here at ConnectAbility Australia, we are committed in providing all individuals with the care and respect that they deserve, from supported independent living to getting out into the community and learning new skills. If you or someone you know would like some assistance in meeting their goals and aspirations we are here to help, call our team on 02 4962 1000 to find our how we can help enrich your life.

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