Different Types of Disabilities
Professional Education Notes for Types of Disabilities (Reviewer)
1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition
characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and
restricted or repetitive behaviors.
Example: A third-grader who prefers lining up toy cars in the same
order every day and struggles to join peers in conversation.
Types of Autism:
1.
Classic
Autism
o Noticeable delays in speech and social
skills before age three.
o Example: A preschooler who does not babble or point to objects by 12
months and avoids eye contact.
2.
Asperger
Syndrome
o No significant language delay but
marked difficulty with social nuances and rigid interests.
o Example: A fifth grader who speaks fluently but insists on talking
only about dinosaurs and cannot read classmates’ body language.
3.
Pervasive
Developmental Disorder–Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
o Meets some criteria for autism or
Asperger’s but not all; moderate social and communication challenges.
o Example: A kindergartner who has occasional repetitive behaviors and
mild delays in conversational turn-taking.
2. Deaf-Blindness
Combined hearing and vision loss so
severe that neither single impairment program meets the student’s needs.
Example: A student who requires tactile sign language because they
cannot rely on sight or hearing cues.
Types of Deaf-Blindness
1.
Congenital
Deaf-Blindness
o Present at birth (e.g., CHARGE
syndrome), leading to lifelong multisensory support needs.
o Example: A child born with both profound hearing loss and optic
nerve hypoplasia using tactile interpreters.
2.
Adventitious
(Acquired) Deaf-Blindness
o Vision and hearing deteriorate over
time (e.g., due to meningitis).
o Example: A teenager who loses vision in one eye from trauma and
later develops profound hearing loss from illness.
3. Deafness
Hearing impairment so severe that
speech and language processing through hearing is not possible, even with
amplification.
Example: A student who uses American Sign Language (ASL) as the primary
language.
Types of Deafness
1.
Prelingual
Deafness
o Hearing loss occurs before spoken
language develops.
o Example: A toddler born with no functional hearing who learns ASL.
2.
Postlingual
Deafness
o Hearing loss after acquiring spoken
language.
o Example: A high schooler who gradually loses hearing due to Ménière’s disease and switches to lip reading and captioning.
4. Developmental Delay
Significant delay in one or more
domains (cognitive, physical, communication, social/emotional, adaptive) for
ages 3–9; temporary category.
Example: A 5-year-old whose speech is at a 3-year level and who cannot
stack blocks by age expectation.
Types of Development Delay:
1.
Cognitive
Delay
o Slower thinking, memory, or
problem-solving skills.
o Example: A kindergartner who cannot complete simple puzzles that
peers master easily.
2.
Physical/Motor
Delay
o Late achievement of gross or fine motor
milestones.
o Example: A preschooler who cannot hop on one foot or grasp a crayon
properly.
3.
Communication
Delay
o Late development of expressive or
receptive language.
o Example: A child who uses only single words at age 4 and struggles
to follow two-step instructions.
4.
Social/Emotional
Delay
o Difficulty interacting, regulating
emotions, or forming attachments.
o Example: A student who repeatedly cries inconsolably when separated
from the teacher.
5.
Adaptive
Behavior Delay
o Challenges with daily living skills like
dressing or feeding.
o Example: A 7-year-old who still needs help tying shoes and brushing teeth.
5. Emotional Disturbance
Persistent emotional or behavioral
responses—such as mood issues, anxiety, or conduct problems—that adversely
affect learning.
Example: A middle schooler whose severe anxiety causes frequent panic
attacks in class.
Types of Emotional Disturbance:
1.
Anxiety
Disorders
o Excessive fear or worry interfering
with school tasks.
o Example: A student who refuses to enter the classroom for fear of
embarrassment.
2.
Mood
Disorders
o Persistent depression or bipolar mood
swings.
o Example: A teen who stays in bed for days and misses school due to
depressive episodes.
3.
Schizophrenia
o Psychotic symptoms such as
hallucinations or delusions.
o Example: A high schooler who talks to unseen figures and can’t focus
on assignments.
4.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD)
o Description: Intrusive thoughts leading
to repetitive behaviors.
o Example: A student who washes hands
repeatedly before writing anything.
5.
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)
o Traumatic memories causing intrusive
recollections and avoidance.
o Example: A child exposed to violence who flinches and freezes at
loud noises.
6. Hearing Impairment
Permanent or fluctuating hearing loss
that adversely affects educational performance but is less severe than deafness.
Example: A student with moderate hearing loss using hearing aids and
preferential seating.
Types of Hearing Impairment:
1.
Sensorineural
Loss (Mild–Moderate)
o Damage to inner ear or auditory nerve;
not fully correctable.
o Example: A student who misses parts of lectures due to permanent
inner-ear damage.
2.
Conductive
Loss
o Outer/middle ear problems (e.g.,
chronic ear infections) often correctable.
o Example: A preschooler who hears faintly during ear-infection episodes
and uses temporary tubes.
3.
Mixed
Hearing Loss
o Combination of sensorineural and
conductive factors.
o Example: A child with congenital nerve damage who later develops
chronic ear infections.
7. Intellectual Disability
Significant limitations in intellectual
functioning and adaptive behavior appearing before age 18.
Example: A student with Down syndrome who reads at a first-grade level
and needs help with money counting.
Classification:
1.
Mild (IQ
50–70)
o Some delays in academic learning; can
acquire practical life skills.
o Example: A middle schooler who learns functional math and self-care
with minimal support.
2.
Moderate
(IQ 35–50)
o Noticeable delays in language and
conceptual skills; needs ongoing support.
o Example: A student who learns basic reading and daily living
routines in a supportive classroom.
3.
Severe
(IQ 20–35)
o Limited speech; extensive support for
self-care and safety.
o Example: A teen who uses simple sign language and requires
supervision for daily tasks.
4.
Profound
(IQ below 20)
o Intensive support needed for all areas;
minimal communication.
o Example: A child who uses eye-blinks or simple gestures to
communicate basic needs.
8. Multiple Disabilities
Simultaneous impairments (excluding
deaf-blindness) causing severe educational needs beyond one category.
Example: A student with both cerebral palsy (mobility) and intellectual
disability requiring physical therapy and adapted curriculum.
Types of Multiple Disabilities:
1.
Intellectual
+ Orthopedic Impairment
o Cognitive delays with significant motor
challenges.
o Example: A child with Down syndrome who also uses a wheelchair.
2.
Intellectual
+ Visual Impairment
o Combined learning disability and vision
loss.
o Example: A student with fragile X syndrome who reads Braille.
3.
Other
Combinations
o Any two or more disabilities (e.g.,
emotional disturbance + speech impairment).
o Example: A teen with PTSD and stuttering requiring counseling and speech therapy.
9. Orthopedic Impairment
Physical disabilities from congenital
anomalies or disease that affect educational performance.
Example: A student with spina bifida who uses leg braces and a
wheelchair.
Types of Orthopedic Impairment:
1.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone
Disease)
o Bones fracture easily; safety
modifications required.
o Example: An elementary student with frequent breaks who uses a
standing desk.
2.
Cerebral
Palsy
o Motor control issues due to brain
injury; may affect speech.
o Example: A child with spasticity in arms using assistive typing
software.
3.
Muscular
Dystrophy
o Progressive muscle weakness; fatigue
management needed.
o Example: A teen who takes frequent rest breaks and uses power
wheelchair.
4.
Spina
Bifida
o Spinal cord defect causing paralysis;
requires mobility aids.
o Example: A student who transfers independently using a sliding
board.
5.
Friedreich’s
Ataxia
o Degenerative movement disorder; balance
and coordination decline.
o Example: A middle schooler using walker and speech-to-text software
over time.
6.
Dwarfism
o Short stature with normal cognitive
skills; requires accessible furnishing.
o Example: A child who uses step stools and modified desks.
10. Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Chronic or acute health problems
limiting strength, vitality, or alertness, affecting educational performance.
Example: A student with epilepsy who needs seizure breaks and safety
planning.
Types of Other Health Impairment (OHI):
1.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
o Inattentiveness or hyperactivity
impacting focus.
o Example: A learner who uses checklists and movement breaks to stay
on task.
2.
Asthma
o Respiratory condition causing frequent
absences or activity limits.
o Example: A child with an inhaler plan and modified physical
education.
3.
Diabetes
o Blood sugar management required
throughout school day.
o Example: A student who tests glucose and eats snacks per medical
plan.
4.
Epilepsy
o Seizure disorder needing emergency
protocols.
o Example: A teen monitored by staff with rescue medication available.
5.
Sickle
Cell Anemia
o Pain episodes and fatigue; frequent
nurse visits.
o Example: A student with rest accommodations and hydration reminders.
6.
Tourette
Syndrome
o Involuntary tics; may cause social
stigma.
o Example: A learner supported with classroom awareness and breaks.
11. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Disorder in one or more psychological
processes affecting language or math skills, despite average intelligence.
Example: A student with dyslexia using audiobooks and multisensory
reading programs.
Types of Specific Learning Disability:
1.
Dyslexia
(Reading)
o Difficulty decoding and fluent reading.
o Example: A child who spells “was” as “saw” and benefits from
Orton-Gillingham methods.
2.
Dysgraphia
(Writing)
o Challenges with handwriting, spelling,
and composition.
o Example: A learner who uses keyboarding and graphic organizers for
writing.
3.
Dyscalculia
(Math)
o Difficulty understanding numbers and
mathematical concepts.
o Example: A student who uses manipulatives and step-by-step visual
aids for operations.
4.
Auditory
Processing Disorder
o Trouble processing spoken information.
o Example: A pupil who repeats verbal instructions in writing to
ensure comprehension.
5.
Language
Processing Disorder
o Difficulty understanding or using
spoken language.
o Example: A student who needs pre-taught
vocabulary and visual supports.
12. Speech or Language Impairment
Communication disorders affecting
articulation, fluency, voice, or language processing.
Example: A third-grader in speech therapy for stuttering.
Types of Speech or Language Impairment:
1.
Articulation
Disorder
o Incorrect production of sounds (e.g.,
“wabbit” for “rabbit”).
o Example: A child practicing mouth positions to correct /r/ sound.
2.
Fluency
Disorder (Stuttering)
o Repetitions or prolongations of sounds.
o Example: A student using slow-speech techniques learned in therapy.
3.
Voice
Disorder
o Abnormal pitch, volume, or quality
(e.g., hoarseness).
o Example: A learner using vocal rest strategies for vocal nodules.
4.
Expressive
Language Impairment
o Difficulty formulating sentences or
using vocabulary.
o Example: A child who points and uses single words instead of full
sentences.
5.
Receptive
Language Impairment
o Difficulty understanding spoken
language.
o Example: A student who needs simplified directions and visual cues.
13. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Acquired brain injury from external
force causing functional or psychosocial impairments.
Example: A high schooler with memory loss and slowed processing after a
concussion.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury:
1.
Concussion
(Mild TBI)
o Temporary change in brain function;
requires cognitive rest.
o Example: A student on a reduced-workload plan after a sports injury.
2.
Contusion
o Bruising of brain tissue; focal
deficits.
o Example: A child who struggles with motor skills after a fall.
3.
Diffuse
Axonal Injury
o Widespread nerve fiber damage causing
long-term impairments.
o Example: A teen needing speech-to-text support for slowed writing
and communication.
4.
Penetrating
Injury
o Object piercing skull/brain; severe
deficits.
o Example: A learner who requires intensive therapy for motor and
cognitive rehabilitation.
14. Visual Impairment (Including
Blindness)
Vision loss, even with correction, that
hinders educational performance.
Example: A student who reads textbooks in Braille and uses screen-reader
software.
Types of Visual Impairment:
1.
Low
Vision
o Residual sight that can be improved
with magnification.
o Example: A learner using large-print materials and a CCTV magnifier.
2.
Functional
Blindness
o Light perception only; relies on
tactile and auditory input.
o Example: A child navigating hallways with a sighted guide and
Braille labels.
3.
Total
Blindness
o No light perception; uses nonvisual
skills exclusively.
o Example: A student proficient in Braille and white-cane mobility.
4.
Cortical
Visual Impairment
o Brain-based vision loss despite healthy
eyes.
o Example: A pupil who can see shapes but not details, requiring high-contrast learning materials.
Good Luck! Kaya mo yan!
){kind=link}