There are many types of disabilities. They include psychiatric disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and developmental disabilities. Each of these has its own causes and symptoms. In addition, there are many causes that do not manifest immediately and resolve over time. These causes of disability are called acquired disabilities.
Psychiatric disabilities
Disabilities related to mental health are common and can affect anyone at any time. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with psychiatric disability support worker agencies melbourne are protected from discrimination in the workplace. In addition, people with mental health conditions may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Psychiatric disabilities include a variety of illnesses, disorders, and problems that can impact a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Psychiatric disabilities affect one out of five adults in the United States. While some of these conditions are permanent, many others can be treated with medication. Among the most common mental conditions are depression and anxiety. These conditions can affect a person’s ability to function in their personal life and schoolwork. Other common symptoms of mental disorders include substance abuse and eating disorders.
Before requesting accommodations, it’s important to identify your specific challenges and decide what accommodations might help. You may need a flexible schedule, white noise earphones, or work from home. A change in management style can also help. In addition, it’s important to stay as active as possible while at work.
Although mental health conditions can affect a person’s ability to function in the workplace, they are not fatal or permanent. Many people recover from psychiatric disabilities and are able to work in stressful or demanding environments. It is important to remember that psychiatric disabilities are not caused by poor parenting or a flawed personality, and people with these conditions are not a danger to others.
Disabilities caused by mental illnesses are classified into four categories. Schizophrenia is the most severe, followed by bipolar affective disorder, OCD, and alcohol use disorders. The least disabling disorder is anxiety disorder.
Developmental disabilities
Developmental disabilities affect a person’s ability to function, which can affect every aspect of their life. These disabilities often start in childhood, and can last throughout a person’s life. Parents may notice that a child is not meeting certain developmental milestones at an early age. For example, an 18-month-old child should be able to walk, feed themselves, and say a few words. By the time a child reaches the age of five, he/she should be able to speak clearly, print his/her name, and do the hopping motion.
Some developmental disabilities are caused by congenital defects. Such defects are genetic in nature and occur during the development of a person in utero. They result from an error in coding or mutation of the child’s genes. Examples of such defects include Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. The effects of these disabilities can be reduced through physical, speech, and occupational therapy. In some cases, psychological counseling is also recommended.
Another group of disabilities that affect development is autism. It is important to understand that this term encompasses a broad range of conditions. For example, a teenager hit by a car might not be able to speak or communicate, while an adult with ADHD may be unable to walk, talk, or process information.
While it was common for developmental disabilities to be synonymous with intellectual disabilities, recent advances have broadened the definition to encompass other conditions. This shift has resulted in winners and losers in the allocation process. The challenge now is to establish real criteria for defining substantial lifelong disabilities requiring significant services and supports. Ultimately, there are still some individuals in each category who are capable of developing independence and living in their communities.
Physical disabilities
Physical disabilities are conditions that restrict a person’s ability to do many normal things. They include problems with vision, hearing, and movement, as well as problems with mental health, communication, and memory. Some disabilities are congenital, while others are the result of a medical condition or accident. Common types of physical disabilities are cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal bifida.
Arthritis is another common form of disability and affects joints. It causes inflammation and pain and can affect both children and adults. It is estimated that over 10 million people in the UK live with this condition. Arthritis affects the smooth cartilage lining of joints, causing them to feel stiff and painful.
Spinal cord injury is another common type of disability. It results from damage to the spinal cord, most commonly during pregnancy. The injury can cause paralysis of the lower body, sensory loss, and loss of bowel and bladder function. In severe cases, the individual may require a wheelchair to move around. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition.
Several other types of physical disabilities also affect the way in which people can move. Various accommodations are available for students with these conditions. These accommodations allow teachers to meet the educational needs of those with disabilities. Some are congenital, while others result from illness. Some disabilities can be permanent, such as cerebral palsy.
Visual disabilities are another type of disability, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. These disabilities can lead to serious diseases that impair a person’s vision. In addition to congenital conditions, vision problems can also result from accidents or disease. Some common visual impairments are scratched corneas, corneal grafts, and diabetes.
Learning disabilities
Learning disabilities are a collection of neurological disorders that make it difficult for a person to learn and perform certain skills. These disorders are usually diagnosed during childhood and are usually caused by an unknown factor that affects a person’s brain’s ability to process information. A person with these types of disabilities will have difficulty performing specific skills and tasks, including reading, writing, and math.
Several types of assessments are available to diagnose a learning disability. These assessments typically focus on the primary academic domains of reading, math, computation, and problem solving, as well as written expression, handwriting, spelling, and composition. The purpose of the assessment is to identify if a child requires special learning services, and it may also take into account comorbid disorders or other underlying conditions. Often, a child’s SES and race/ethnicity are considered when making a diagnosis, but some learning disabilities can also be categorized by the type of information processing that is affected.
Learning disabilities can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including the motor skills, understanding of spoken language, and the ability to interpret visual information. Students with learning disabilities may struggle with problems with memory, organization, time, and counting. Other learning disabilities affect the physical ability to write. Students with dyscalculia have difficulties with math concepts and are limited in their problem solving strategies.
Those with specific learning disabilities have difficulty understanding reading and writing, or using oral language. These disabilities are often hard to diagnose, and are difficult to accommodate, as they often occur in people who are of average or above-average intelligence. Some of the most common learning disabilities involve problems in reading, writing, mathematics, reasoning, and speaking. Children with learning disabilities often have problems completing homework and completing assignments.
Acquired brain injury
Acquired brain injury is a form of disability that results from damage to the brain after birth. These injuries include strokes and brain illnesses, and differ from congenital disabilities that can happen before birth. It causes impairments in cognitive, sensory, and emotional abilities. It can also lead to severe headaches, poor coordination, and slurred speech.
Typically, children who have sustained a brain injury will experience post-traumatic amnesia, which is when they have no memory of the event that caused the injury. In addition, these children may also suffer from impairments in mobility, cognition, and behavior. Some children may even be in a coma for a long time.
The symptoms of acquired brain injury vary depending on the type and location of the injury. Some are obvious, while others are less noticeable. People with brain injury may experience loss of reasoning skills, limited ability to evaluate situational details, and irregular attendance in school. Often, the person will also experience difficulties with learning and following directions.
Acquired brain injury can be traumatic or non-traumatic. It can be fatal or result in disability. It is often caused by an accident, but can also be caused by a fall or an assault. It can also be caused by bruising or fractures to the skull. It is one of the leading causes of disability in children under 40.
Although treatment options for ABI vary depending on severity and the symptom severity, rehabilitation can help patients recover from the effects of their injuries. It may take years for a person to fully recover. It may involve a combination of physical, speech, and educational interventions to help the patient regain function. Adaptive equipment can also be used to assist with activities of daily living.