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Types of Disabilites

Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury

An acquired brain injury is defined as: Damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. These impairments may be temporary or permanent and cause partial or functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.

Autism
Autism

“Is autism a disability or a difference?” is one of these questions posed as a dichotomous choice in the autism community. The way the question is posed gives the impression that there is one correct answer. When Autism is a “Difference” Many autistic adults would like if autism were recognized as a difference rather than a disability.

source: ollibean.com
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.

source: cdc.gov
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Deaf or Hard of Hearing

According to the CDC, "deaf" individuals do not hear well enough to rely on their hearing to process speech and language. Individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairments may be "hard of hearing," but are not "deaf." These individuals differ from deaf individuals in that they use their hearing to assist in communication with others.

source: eeoc.gov
Deaf-Blindness
Deaf-Blindness

What is Deaf-Blindness. Deaf-blindness is a low incidence disability and within this very small group of children there is great variability. Many children who are deaf-blind have some usable vision and/or hearing. The majority of children who are deaf-blind also have additional physical, medical and/or cognitive problems.

Deafness
Deafness

Hearing loss varies in severity; however, as IDEA’s definition specifies, deafness entails the most severe cases. Impairments can affect the ability to hear intensity (loudness, measured in decibels), pitch (frequency, measured in hertz) or both.

Developmental Delay
Developmental Delay

Developmental disabilities begin anytime during the developmental period and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Most developmental disabilities begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth because of injury, infection, or other factors.

source: cdc.gov
Emotional Disturbance
Emotional Disturbance

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (often referred to as NICHCY) lists six types of emotional disturbances: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, conduct disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychotic disorders; however, they note that this list isn’t all-inclusive. To learn about the precise characteristics connected to a child’s emotional disturbance, look into the specific subcategory that affects that child.

Hearing Impairment
Hearing Impairment

Definition. Hearing impairment as a disability category is similar to the category of deafness, but it is not the same. The official definition of a hearing impairment by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is “an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but is not included under the definition of ...

Intellectual Disability
Intellectual Disability

What causes intellectual disability? Anytime something interferes with normal brain development, intellectual disability can result. However, a specific cause for intellectual disability can only be pinpointed about a third of the time. The most common causes of intellectual disability are: Genetic conditions.

source: webmd.com
Intellectual Disability (Formerly Known as Mental Retardation)
Intellectual Disability (Formerly Known as Mental Retardation)

Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly.

source: webmd.com
Mental Health Conditions
Mental Health Conditions

Many federal laws protect the rights of people with disabilities, including mental health conditions. The main law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).It mostly protects people from discrimination at work and in public places and programs.

Multiple Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities

Find out when a child with special needs is categorized as having "multiple disabilities," and how special education teachers can support these students.

Physical Disability
Physical Disability

A physical disability is any physical condition that significantly impairs daily living. A physical disability can be a result of an accident, genetics, or illness. Physical disabilities have significant impacts on mobility, work-tolerance, self care, and communication.

source: study.com
Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory Illnesses

Obesity makes it harder for the chest and lungs to expand, which can compromise the ability of the respiratory system to supply adequate oxygen to the body. The combined effects of obesity with a respiratory disorder can be greater than the effects of each of the impairments considered separately.

source: ssa.gov
Vision Impairment
Vision Impairment

Visual impairment (vision impairment, vision disability) is defined as a decreased ability to see to a degree that causes problems not fixable by usual means, such as glasses or medication. Visual impairment can be due to disease, trauma, or congenital or degenerative conditions.