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Physical Disabilities

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A physical disability is the long-term loss or impairment of part of a person's body function, resulting in a limitation of physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Due to the functional loss the person will experience the inability to perform normal movements of the body, such as walking and mobility, sitting and standing, use of hands and arms, muscle control, etc.

The two major categories of physical disabilities are: (1) the musculo skeletal disability, including loss or deformity of limbs, Osteogensis Imperfecta and muscular dystrophy; and (2) the neuro musculo disability, including cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, poliomyelitis, stroke, head injury and spinal cord injury. The musculo skeletal disability is defined as the inability to carry out distinctive activities associated with movements of the body parts due to mucular or bone deformities, diseases or degeneration. The neuro musculo disability is defined as the inability to perform controlled movements of affected body parts due to diseases, degeneration or disorder of the nervous system.

Video explanations of physical disabilities:

(1) Chris Le - Musculoskeletal Disorder.

(2) Suzanne Villalon-Hinojosa - Spinal cord and other musculoskeletal disorders.

(3) Disorders and diseases of the skeletal system.

Video explanation of the muscular system: CTE - The muscular system explained in 6 minutes.
Examples of what people with physical disability experience in everyday life:

1. Karen Van - Computer access for individuals with physical disabilities.

2. Life Where I'm From - Living in Japan with a physical disability.

Bibliography

1. Types of physical disabilities. Handicaps Welfare Association. Url: http://hwa.org.sg/news/general-information-on-physical-disabilities/.

2. Neuro musculo disabilities. Appalachian State University. Url: http://www.appstate.edu/~ka66064/neuro_musculo.html

3. Neurological disorders: types, research and treatment. Disabled World. Url: https://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/

4. X. Zhang, H. Kulkarni, M. Morris. Smartphone-based eye gesture communication for people with motor disabilities, CHI 2017, May 06-11, Denver, USA, 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3025453.302579. Paper pdf: http://cs.stanford.edu/~merrie/papers/gazespeak.pdf. Video explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvasU02YVAQ.

5. D.N. Bryen, G. Heake, A. Semenuk, M. Segal. Improving web access for individuals who rely on augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 26(1), 2010, pp.21-29. DOI: 10.3109/07434610903561654.

6. C.N. Shpigelman, C.J. Gill. Facebook use by persons with disabilities. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 19(3), 2014, pp.610-624. DOI: 10.1111/jcc4.12059.

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A physical disability is the long-term loss or impairment of part of a person's body function, resulting in a limitation of physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Due to the functional loss the person will experience the inability to perform normal movements of the body, such as walking and mobility, sitting and standing, use of hands and arms, muscle control, etc.

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Emotional and Social Difficulties

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Speech and Language Difficulties

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Language and Speech Disorders in Children | CDC

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Learning a language takes time, and children vary in how quickly they master milestones in language and speech development.

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Disabilities

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Learning Difficulties

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Learning disabilities are due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors that alter brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more cognitive processes related to learning. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention. It is important to realize that learning disabilities can affect an individual's life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace.
Since difficulties with reading, writing and/or math are recognizable problems during the school years, the signs and symptoms of learning disabilities are most often diagnosed during that time. However, some individuals do not receive an evaluation until they are in post-secondary education or adults in the workforce. Other individuals with learning disabilities may never receive an evaluation and go through life, never knowing why they have difficulties with academics and why they may be having problems in their jobs or in relationships with family and friends.

Learning disabilities should not be confused with learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps; of intellectual disability; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages.

Generally speaking, people with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence. There often appears to be a gap between the individual's potential and actual achievement. This is why learning disabilities are referred to as "hidden disabilities": the person looks perfectly "normal" and seems to be a very bright and intelligent person, yet may be unable to demonstrate the skill level expected from someone of a similar age.

A learning disability cannot be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong challenge. However, with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.

In Federal law, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the term is "specific learning disability," one of 13 categories of disability under that law.

"Learning Disabilities" is an "umbrella" term describing a number of other, more specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. Find the signs and symptoms of each, plus strategies to help below.

Types of Learning Disabilities

Related Disorders

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Learning disabilities are due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors that alter brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more cognitive processes related to learning. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math.

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Sensory Impairment

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Behavioral Difficulty

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Behavioral disorders, also known as disruptive behavioral disorders, are the most common reasons that parents are told to take their kids for mental health assessments and treatment. Behavioral disorders are also common in adults. If left untreated in childhood, these disorders can negatively affect a person's ability to hold a job and maintain relationships.

What Are the Types of Behavioral Disorders?

According to BehaviorDisorder.org, behavioral disorders may be broken down into a few types, which include:

Anxiety disorders

Disruptive behavioral disorders

Dissociative disorders

Emotional disorders

Pervasive developmental disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is a condition that impairs an individual's ability to properly focus and to control impulsive behaviors, or it may make the person overactive.

ADHD is more common in boys than it is in girls. According to the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, males are two to three times more likely than females to get ADHD.

Emotional Behavioral Disorder

An emotional behavioral disorder affects a person's ability to be happy, control their emotions and pay attention in school. According to Gallaudet University, symptoms of an emotional behavioral disorder include:

Inappropriate actions or emotions under normal circumstances

Learning difficulties that are not caused by another health factor

Difficulty with interpersonal relationships, including relationships with teachers and peers

A general feeling of unhappiness or depression

Feelings of fear and anxiety related to personal or school matters

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

ODD is a behavioral disorder characterized by hostile, irritable and uncooperative attitudes in children, according to Children's Mental Health Ontario. Children with ODD may be spiteful or annoying on purpose, and they generally direct their negative actions at authority figures.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal emotion, and all people feel anxiety at some point in their lives. However, for some people, anxiety may get to a point where it interferes with their daily lives, causing insomnia and negatively affecting performance at work or school, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anxiety disorders involve more than regular anxiety. They are serious mental health conditions that require treatment. Examples of these types of mental conditions include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder

Panic disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by fears and irrational thoughts that lead to obsessions, which, in turn, cause compulsions, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have OCD, you engage in compulsive, repetitive behavior despite realizing the negative consequences of - or even the unreasonable nature of - your actions. Performing these repetitive acts does nothing more than relieve stress temporarily.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these behavioral disorders, it is important to get help as soon as possible, because these conditions can affect quality of life to such a degree that they may lead to self-harm. Please call for assistance.

What Causes a Behavioral Disorder?

A behavioral disorder can have a variety of causes. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the abnormal behavior that is usually associated with these disorders can be traced back to biological, family and school-related factors.

Some biological causes may include:

Other factors related to an individual's home life may contribute to behaviors associated with a behavioral disorder:

Divorce or other emotional upset at home

Coercion from parents

Unhealthy or inconsistent discipline style

Poor attitude toward education or schooling

What Are the Signs of a Behavioral Disorder?

Someone who has a behavioral disorder may act out or display emotional upset in different ways, which will also vary from person to person.

Emotional Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders

According to Boston Children's Hospital, some of the emotional symptoms of behavioral disorders include:

Easily getting annoyed or nervous

Often appearing angry

Putting blame on others

Refusing to follow rules or questioning authority

Arguing and throwing temper tantrums

Having difficulty in handling frustration

Physical Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders

Unlike other types of health issues, a behavioral disorder will have mostly emotional symptoms, with physical symptoms such as a fever, rash, or headache being absent. However, sometimes people suffering from a behavioral disorder will develop a substance abuse problem, which could show physical symptoms such as burnt fingertips, shaking or bloodshot eyes.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of a Behavioral Disorder

If left untreated, a behavioral disorder may have negative short-term and long-term effects on an individual's personal and professional life. People may get into trouble for acting out, such as face suspension or expulsion for fighting, bullying or arguing with authority figures. Adults may eventually lose their jobs. Marriages can fall apart due to prolonged strained relationships, while children may have to switch schools and then eventually run out of options.

According to HealthyChildren.org, the most serious actions a person with a behavioral disorder may engage in include starting fights, abusing animals and threatening to use a weapon on others.

The earlier a behavioral disorder is diagnosed and properly treated, the more likely it is that a child or adult suffering from it will be able to control their behavior. Contact us at for assistance in finding treatment options.

Is There a Test or Self-Assessment I Can Do?

Mental health professionals and treatment centers can evaluate people to determine if they a behavioral disorder. Tests called functional behavioral assessments offer problem-solving help to address behavioral problems in students. According to Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice, these assessments are based on many techniques and strategies for identifying problem behaviors. Individualized educational program teams use these assessments to choose interventions that address specific behavioral problems. These teams are involved in the education of students, and they may include parents and teachers.

Medication: Behavior-Modifying Drug Options

A person may receive prescription medications to help manage a behavioral disorder. Though medication will not cure the disorder, it is effective in assisting with treatment to control and modify behaviors.

Behavioral Drugs: Possible Options

Many drugs are available for behavioral problems, and the type of drug that will be prescribed depends on the specific condition being treated. The Positive Environments Network of Trainers of the California Department of Education lists Ritalin and Dexedrine as short-acting medications for the treatment of ADHD. They may help a child focus better, reduce impulsive behavior and reduce motor restlessness.

Ritalin is also included in a group of medications known as long-acting stimulants. Other types of medications in this group include Concerta, Methylin ER, Methylin CD, Focalin, and Metadate ER. These medications may also be effective against ADHD. Concerta may prevent drug abuse, as can Vyanase and Daytrana. Some professionals recommend Wellbutrin as a primary ADHD treatment.

People with an anxiety disorder, OCD or ADHD may benefit from antidepressants, including Paxil, Tofranil, Anafranil, Prozac, Luvox, Celexa, Zoloft and Norpramin. Other medications that may help include Daytrana, Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall XR and Strattera. These medications are aimed at decreasing impulsivity, reducing hyperactivity, decreasing obsessive-compulsive actions and reducing feelings of depression.

Medication Side Effects

Medications for behavioral disorders may have side effects. They can increase emotional issues, increase suicidal thoughts and aggravate seizure conditions. Some of the possible side effects include:

Behavior Drug Addiction, Dependence and Withdrawal

An individual may become addicted to the medication taken to treat a behavioral disorder. As a result, the person may need professional help with weaning off that medication. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you abuse certain medications.

If you suspect that you, your child or someone else you know has become dependent on prescription medication, contact us at for immediate assistance.

Medication Overdose

Children are more likely than adults to accidentally overdose on medication, including behavioral medications. A person who is depressed because of a behavioral disorder may attempt an overdose on purpose. People who are depressed or have suicidal thoughts have a high risk for overdose, according to the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse.

Depression and Behavioral Disorders

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a behavioral disorder may trigger depression. The opposite is also possible, with depression being a trigger for a behavioral disorder, which can also lead to substance abuse.

Dual Diagnosis: Addiction and Behavioral Disorders

It is not uncommon for people with a behavioral disorder to also have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. According to Psychology Today, an individual who has a panic disorder may also be addicted to alcohol.

Children with ADHD may be at a higher risk for developing a substance abuse or alcohol dependence issue if the condition carries over into adulthood, according to WebMD.

Getting Help for a Behavioral Disorder

Because of the severity of these mental health issues, getting help for a behavioral disorder is crucial. Cognitive behavioral therapy along with medication is an effective way to treat disorders such as ODD. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to restore your life to normal.

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Behavioral Disorder Symptoms, Causes and Effects - PsychGuides.com

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Behavioral disorders, also known as disruptive behavioral disorders, are the most common reasons that parents are told to take their kids for mental health assessments and treatment. Behavioral disorders are also common in adults. If left untreated in childhood, these disorders can negatively affect a person's ability to hold a job and maintain relationships.

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Intellectual Disabilities

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What is intellectual disability?

Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.

Is intellectual disability the same as mental retardation? Why do some programs and regulations still say mental retardation?

The term intellectual disability covers the same population of individuals who were diagnosed previously with mental retardation in number, kind, level, type, duration of disability, and the need of people with this disability for individualized services and supports. Furthermore, every individual who is or was eligible for a diagnosis of mental retardation is eligible for a diagnosis of intellectual disability.

While intellectual disability is the preferred term, it takes time for language that is used in legislation, regulation, and even for the names of organizations, to change.

Is intellectual disability the same as developmental disabilities?

"Developmental Disabilities" is an umbrella term that includes intellectual disability but also includes other disabilities that are apparent during childhood.

Developmental disabilities are severe chronic disabilities that can be cognitive or physical or both. The disabilities appear before the age of 22 and are likely to be lifelong.Some developmental disabilities are largely physical issues, such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Some individuals may have a condition that includes a physical and intellectual disability, for example Down syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome.

Intellectual disability encompasses the "cognitive" part of this definition, that is, a disability that is broadly related to thought processes. Because intellectual and other developmental disabilities often co-occur, intellectual disability professionals often work with people who have both types of disabilities.

Is intellectual disability determined by just an IQ test?

No. The evaluation and classification intellectual disability is a complex issue. There are three major criteria for intellectual disability: significant limitations in intellectual functioning, significant limitations in adaptive behavior, and onset before the age of 18.

The IQ test is a major tool in measuring intellectual functioning, which is the mental capacity for learning, reasoning, problem solving, and so on. A test score below or around 70-or as high as 75-indicates a limitation in intellectual functioning.

Other tests determine limitations in adaptive behavior, which covers three types of skills:

Conceptual skills-language and literacy; money, time, and number concepts; and self-direction

Social skills-interpersonal skills, social responsibility, self-esteem, gullibility, naïveté (i.e., wariness), social problem solving, and the ability to follow rules, obey laws, and avoid being victimized

Practical skills-activities of daily living (personal care), occupational skills, healthcare, travel/transportation, schedules/routines, safety, use of money, use of the telephone

AAIDD publishes the most advanced scientific thinking on this matter in the 11th edition of its manual, Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports. In defining and assessing intellectual disability, AAIDD stresses that, in addtion to an assessement of intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, professionals must consider such factors as

community environment typical of the individual's peers and culture

linguistic diversity

cultural differences in the way people communicate, move, and behavior

What causes intellectual disability?

There are a number of causes. Our understanding of the causes of intellectual disability focuses on the types of risk factors (biomedical, social, behavioral, and educational) and the timing of exposure (prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal) to those factors.

What is the most modern thinking about how to help people with intellectual disability?

The overarching reason for evaluating and classifying individuals with intellectual disability is to tailor supports for each individual, in the form of a set of strategies and services provided over a sustained period.

Our goal is to enhance people's functioning within their own environment in order to lead a more successful and satisfying life. Some of this enhancement is thought of in terms of self-worth, subjective well being, pride, engagement in political action, and other principles of self-identity.

What role has AAIDD played in defining intellectual disabilty?

AAIDD, the world's largest and oldest organization of intellectual disability professionals, has played a major role in evolving ideas about and approaches to intellectual disability. In fact, the Association, founded in 1876, has published 11 editions of its definitional manual between 1908 and 2010, each edition containing the latest scientific understanding of the condition.

The first definitions of the condition focused on a failure to adapt socially to the environment. Later definitions added a medical approach that considered heredity and pathology and called for individuals with intellectual disability to be segregated. Then the rise of the cognitive testing movement brought an emphasis on measuring intellectual functioning by IQ test. The IQ test became the way to define the group and classify the people within it.

In its 1959 definition and classification manual, AAIDD first attempted a dual-criterion approach: a definition that mentioned both intellectual functioning and "impairments in maturation, learning, and social adjustment." In its 1961 manual, AAIDD folded the "impairments" description into the phrase "adaptive behavior," a term still used today. The definition was refocused in 1992 to reflect a new way of understanding and responding to the condition.. AAIDD moved away from a diagnostic process that identified deficits solely on the basis of an IQ score, and began considering social, environmental, and other elements as well. Most crucially, the emphasis shifted from providing programs to people with intellectual disability to designing and delivering support tailored to each individual to help them reach their highest level of functioning.

The third element of the definition involves age of onset. Early definitions mentioned "the developmental period." AAIDD's 2002 definition clarified that the disability originates "before the age of 18."

It is important to note that the 1992 definition was the first to view intellectual disability as a condition that could be enhanced by provision of supports, rather than as a static, lifelong disability.

Since 1992, the Association has worked to further develop and refine this paradigm shift. The approach is more fully fleshed out in the Association's 11th and most recent manual, Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports, published in 2010.

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What is intellectual disability? Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. Is intellectual disability the same as mental retardation?