DISABILITY DEFINITION CAUSE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS EARLY INTERVENTION SOURCES

Accommodation/Modification
Augmentative ls/Materials

Learning disability A learning Factors that might Your child might have a A child's teacher, parents or https://
(LD) disorder is an influence the learning disorder if he or she: guardian, doctor, or other www.mayocl
information- development of learning professional can request an inic.org/
processing disorders include: 1. Doesn't master skills in evaluation if there are concerns healthy-
problem that  Family history reading, spelling, writing or about learning problems. Your lifestyle/
prevents a person and genetics math at or near expected age child will likely first have tests to childrens-
from learning a  Prenatal and and grade levels. rule out vision or hearing health/in-
skill and using it neonatal risk 2. Has difficulty problems or other medical depth/
effectively.  Psychological understanding and following conditions. Often, a child will learning-
Learning disorders trauma instructions. have a series of exams conducted disorders/art-
generally affect  Physical trauma 3. Has trouble remembering by a team of professionals, 20046105
people of average  Environmental what someone just told him or including a psychologist, special
or above average exposure her. education teacher, occupational
intelligence. As a 4. Lacks coordination in therapist, social worker or nurse.
result, the disorder walking, sports or skills such
appears as a gap as holding a pencil. Treatment options
between expected 5. Easily loses or misplaces If your child has a learning
skills, based on homework, schoolbooks or disorder, your child's doctor or
age and other items. school might recommend:
intelligence, and 6. Has difficulty  Extra help
academic understanding the concept of  Individualized education
performance. time program (IEP)
Common learning 7. Resists doing homework or  Accommodations
disorders affect a activities that involve reading,  Therapy
child's abilities in writing or math, or  Medication
reading, written consistently can't complete  Complementary and
expression, math homework assignments alternative medicine.
or nonverbal skills. without significant help.
8. Acts out or shows defiance,
 hostility or excessive
emotional reactions at school
or while doing academic
activities, such as homework
or reading.

Speech or language A speech disorder Disorders of speech and 1. Repetition of sounds, Your health care provider will ask
https://
impairment is a condition in language are common in words, or parts of words or about your child's developmental www.pennm
which a person has preschool age children. phrases after age 4 (I want...I and family history. The provider edicine.org/
problems creating This impairment is want my doll. I...I see you.) will do some neurological for-patients-
or forming the cause by different 2. Putting in (interjecting) screening and check for: and-
speech sounds disorders that affect the extra sounds or words (We visitors/
needed to speech and language of went to the...uh...store.)  Fluency of speech patient-
communicate with children such as: 3. Making words longer (I am  Any emotional stress information/
others. This can Boooobbby Jones.)  Any underlying condition conditions-
make the child's Disfluencies are 4. Pausing during a sentence  Effect of speech disorder treated-a-to-
speech difficult to disorders in which a or words, often with the lips on daily life z/speech-
understand. person repeats a sound, together and-
Speech disorders word, or phrase. 5. Tension in the voice or Some other evaluation tools used language-
are different from Stuttering may be the sounds to identify and diagnose speech disorders
language disorders most serious disfluency. 6. Frustration with attempts to disorders are:
in children. It may be caused by: communicate
Language 7. Head jerking while talking  Denver Articulation
disorders refer to  Genetic 8. Eye blinking while talking Screening Examination.
someone having abnormalities 9. Embarrassment with speech  Leiter International
difficulty with:  Emotional stress Performance scale-3.
Getting their  Any trauma to  Goldman-Fristoe Test of
meaning or brain or infection Articulation 3 (GFTA-3).
message across to  Arizona Articulation and
others (expressive Articulation and Phonology Scale 4th
language) and phonological disorders Revision (Arizona-4).
Understanding the may occur in other  Prosody-voice screening
message coming family members. Other profile.
causes include:  A hearing test may also be
from others done to rule out hearing
(receptive  Problems or loss as a cause of the
language) changes in the speech disorder.
structure or
shape of the Treatment
muscles and In therapy, the therapist may
bones used to teach your child how to use their
make speech tongue to create certain sounds. If
sounds. These a child has a speech disorder,
changes may parents are encouraged to:
include cleft  Avoid expressing too
palate and tooth much concern about the
problems. problem, which can
 Damage to parts actually make matters
of the brain or worse by making the child
the nerves (such more self-conscious.
as from cerebral  Avoid stressful social
palsy) that situations whenever
control how the possible.
muscles work  Listen patiently to the
together to create child, make eye contact,
speech. don't interrupt, and show
 Hearing loss. love and acceptance.
Avoid finishing sentences
Voice disorders are for them.
caused by problems  Set aside time for talking.
when air passes from the
lungs, through the vocal
cords, and then through
the throat, nose, mouth,
and lips. A voice
disorder may be due to:

 Acid from the

 stomach moving
upward (GERD)
 Cancer of the
throat
 Cleft palate or
other problems
with the palate
 Conditions that
damage the
nerves that
supply the
muscles of the
vocal cords
 Laryngeal webs
or clefts (a birth
defect in which a
thin layer of
tissue is between
the vocal cords)
 Noncancerous
growths (polyps,
nodules, cysts,
granulomas,
papillomas, or
ulcers) on the
vocal cords
 Overuse of the
vocal cords from
screaming,
constantly
clearing the
throat, or singing
 Intellectual Intellectual Some common causes of Some common symptoms of Parents and caregivers who think https://
Disability (ID) disability is also intellectual disability intellectual disability include: that their child may have www.medica
sometimes known include: intellectual disability should talk lnewstoday.c
as cognitive 1. Reaching developmental with their child’s doctor or nurse om/articles/
disability. An  Certain genetic milestones — such as sitting as soon as possible. Receiving intellectual-
outdated and now conditions, such up, crawling, walking, or early, ongoing intervention is disability#ma
offensive term for as Down talking — later than other very important in ensuring that nagement
this condition was syndrome, children someone with this condition can
“mental phenylketonuria, 2. Difficulty speaking or reach their full potential.
retardation.” Males or fragile X reading
are more likely to syndrome 3. Difficulty understanding or Other tips for parents and
receive a diagnosis  Fetal alcohol following social rules or cues caregivers include the following:
of intellectual syndrome 4. Difficulty understanding
disability.  Congenital the results or consequences of  Learn the specifics about
anomalies or their actions the child’s intellectual
brain 5. Difficulty solving disability, including their
malformations problems, thinking logically, limitations, strengths,
 Some infections, or thinking abstractly needs, and other
such as 6. Difficulty planning or individual factors.
meningitis, following schedules or  Connect with other
measles, or routines parents who have children
whooping cough 7. Difficulty remembering with intellectual disability.
 Exposure to things  Encourage activities that
toxins such as 8. Difficulty letting others support independence and
mercury or lead know their needs responsibility, such as
 Serious head 9. Difficulty understanding chores, dressing, feeding,
injury systems such as the need to or bathing.
 Stroke pay for things, time, or how to  Seek support from
 Maternal use a phone community, medical, or
disease, such as 10. Difficulty with social other supportive services.
rubella, drug use, skills  Be patient, kind, hopeful,
or infection 11. A reduced ability to and understanding.
during perform regular personal care,  Get involved with social,
recreation, sports, or other
 pregnancy such as eating, getting activities.
 Problems at dressed, or completing  Try to avoid negative
birth, such as household tasks thinking, projections, or
insufficient 12. Limited functioning in words.
oxygenation one or more daily activities  Work with early
 Extreme 13. Reduced judgment and intervention services to
malnutrition decision-making skills develop an Individualized
 Insufficient 14. Difficulty learning from Family Services Plan that
medical care experience focuses on the child’s and
15. Communicating using family’s needs.
nonverbal means, such as  Contact local school
expressions and gestures systems or elementary
16. Difficulty regulating schools to get access to
emotions and behaviors special education and
related services.
 Practice social and
communication skills.
 Recognize that parents
and caregivers can help
improve the functioning
of someone with
intellectual disability.
 Be as clear as possible,
using demonstrations such
as a picture or hands-on
materials rather than
verbal directions.
 Break longer and new
tasks into simpler steps.
 Work with teachers and
academic support workers
to assess the child’s
progress at school and at
 home.
 Work with adolescent or
child psychiatrists to set
appropriate expectations
for the individual.

Treatment and management

Intellectual disability is a lifelong
condition. Although there is
currently no cure, most people
can learn to improve their
functioning over time. Receiving
early, ongoing interventions can
often improve functioning,
thereby allowing someone to
thrive. Most treatment plans for
intellectual disability focus on the
person’s:

 strengths
 needs
 support needed to function
 additional conditions

Emotional As is evident in No one knows the actual Some of the characteristics Treatment may include: https://
disturbance (ED) IDEA’s definition, cause or causes of and behaviors seen in children www.parentc
emotional emotional disturbance, who have an emotional  Helping the child learn enterhub.org/
disturbances can although several factors disturbance include: how to better solve emotionaldist
affect an —heredity, brain problems, communicate, urbance/
individual in areas disorder, diet, stress, and 1. Hyperactivity (short and handle stress, as well
beyond the family functioning— attention span, as how to control impulses
emotional. have been suggested and impulsiveness); and Anger (what’s known
Depending on the vigorously researched. 2. Aggression or self-injurious as cognitive-behavioral
 specific mental A great deal of research behavior (acting out, therapy);
disorder involved, goes on every day, but fighting);  Family therapy;
a person’s to date, researchers have 3. Withdrawal (not interacting  Peer group therapy (to
physical, social, or not found that any of socially with others, excessive help better social and
cognitive skills these factors are the fear or anxiety); interpersonal skills); and
may also be direct cause of 4. Immaturity (inappropriate  Medications (although
affected. Many behavioral or emotional crying, temper tantrums, poor these are not typically
children who do problems. coping skills); and used to treat conduct
not have emotional 5. Learning difficulties disorder).
disturbance may (academically performing
display some of below grade level).
these same 6. Children with the most
behaviors at serious emotional
various times disturbances may exhibit
during their distorted thinking, excessive
development. anxiety, bizarre motor acts,
However, when and abnormal mood swings.
children have an
emotional
disturbance, these
behaviors continue
over long periods
of time. Their
behavior signals
that they are not
coping with their
environment or
peers.

Autism Autism spectrum There is not just one People with ASD often have Diagnosing ASD can be difficult https://
disorder (ASD) is cause of ASD. There are problems with social since there is no medical test, like www.cdc.go
a developmental many different factors communication and a blood test, to diagnose the v/ncbddd/
disability caused that have been identified interaction, and restricted or disorder. Doctors look at the autism/
by differences in that may make a child repetitive behaviors or child’s behavior and development facts.html
the brain. Some more likely to have interests. People with ASD to make a diagnosis. ASD can
people with ASD ASD, including may also have different ways sometimes be detected at 18
have a known environmental, biologic, of learning, moving, or paying months of age or younger. By age
difference, such as and genetic factors. attention. It is important to 2, a diagnosis by an experienced
a genetic Although we know little note that some people without professional can be considered
condition. Other about specific causes, ASD might also have some of reliable.
causes are not yet the available evidence these symptoms. For people
known. People suggests that the with ASD, these Treatment
with ASD may following may put characteristics can make life 1. Current treatments for ASD
behave, children at greater risk very challenging. seek to reduce symptoms that
communicate, for developing ASD: interfere with daily functioning
interact, and learn and quality of life. ASD affects
in ways that are  Having a sibling each person differently, meaning
different from with ASD that people with ASD have
most other people.  Having certain unique strengths and challenges
There is often genetic or and different treatment needs.
nothing about how chromosomal 2. Treatment plans usually
they look that sets conditions, such involve multiple professionals
them apart from as fragile X and are catered to the individual.
other people. The syndrome or
abilities of people tuberous
with ASD can vary sclerosis
significantly. For  Experiencing
example, some complications at
people with ASD birth
may have  Being born to
advanced older parents
conversation skills
whereas others
may be nonverbal.
Some people with
ASD need a lot of
 help in their daily
lives; others can
work and live with
little to no support.

Hearing Hearing The most common Parents may suspect hearing If doctors suspect the child has a https://
impairment impairment refers causes of hearing impairment if the child does genetic defect, genetic testing can www.msdma
to any degree of impairment in newborns not respond to sounds or if the be done. In older children, several nuals.com/
hearing loss, mild are child has difficulty talking or techniques are used to diagnose home/
to severe, and can delayed speech. Less severe hearing impairment: children-s-
occur when there  Congenital hearing impairment can be health-
is a problem with a cytomegalovirus more subtle and lead to  Asking a series of issues/ear-
part of the ear, (CMV) infection behavior that is misinterpreted questions to detect delays nose-and-
including the  Genetic defects by parents and doctors, such in a child’s normal throat-
inner, middle, and as the following: development or to assess a disorders-in-
outer ears, or the The most common parent’s concern about children/
nerves needed for causes of hearing 1. Children sometimes ignore language and speech hearing-
hearing. Hearing impairment in infants people who are talking to development impairment-
impairment is and older children are them.  Examining the ears for in-children
slightly more 2. Children are able to talk abnormalities
common among  Ear infections and hear well at home but not  For children aged 6
boys. Not and secretory in school because mild or months to 2 years, testing
recognizing and otitis media moderate hearing impairment their response to various
treating  Accumulation of may cause problems only in sounds
impairment can earwax the midst of the background  Testing the response of
seriously impair a noise of a classroom. the eardrum to a range of
child’s ability to sound frequencies
speak and (tympanometry), which
understand may indicate whether
language. The there is fluid in the middle
impairment can ear
lead to failure in  After age 2 years, asking
school, teasing by children to follow simple
 peers, social commands, which usually
isolation, and indicates whether they
emotional hear and understand
difficulties. speech, or testing their
responses to sounds using
earphones

Treatment
 Treating the cause when
possible
 Hearing aids or cochlear
implants
 Sign language

Treating reversible causes of

hearing loss and ear defects can
restore hearing. For example, ear
infections can be treated with
antibiotics or surgery, earwax can
be manually removed or
dissolved with ear drops, and
cholesteatomas can be surgically
removed.

Visual impairment Vision impairment Globally, the leading While the causes vary, there Each eye condition requires a https://
classified into two causes of vision are several common signs different, timely response. There www.who.int
groups, distance impairment are: which may indicate that a are effective interventions /news-room/
and near child has a visual impairment. covering promotion, prevention, fact-sheets/
presenting vision  Uncorrected These include: treatment and rehabilitation detail/
impairment. refractive errors which address the needs blindness-
There is Mild,  Cataract 1. Irregular eye movements associated with eye conditions and-visual-
Moderate, Severe,  Age-related (for instance, eyes that don’t and vision impairment; some are impairment
and Blindness macular move together or that appear among the most cost-effective
visual case. A degeneration unfocused) and feasible of all health care
 person’s  Glaucoma 2. Unusual habits (such as interventions to implement. For
experience of  Diabetic covering one eye or example, uncorrected refractive
vision impairment retinopathy frequently rubbing eyes) error can be corrected with
varies depending  Corneal opacity 3. Sitting abnormally close to spectacles or surgery while
upon many  Trachoma a television or holding a book cataract surgery can restore
different factors. close to the face vision.
This includes for
example, the Treatment is also available for
availability of many eye conditions that do not
prevention and typically cause vision
treatment impairment, such as dry eye,
interventions, conjunctivitis and blepharitis, but
access to vision generate discomfort and pain.
rehabilitation Treatment of these conditions is
(including directed at alleviating the
assistive products symptoms and preventing the
such as glasses or evolution towards more severe
white canes), and diseases.
whether the person
experiences
problems with
inaccessible
buildings,
transport and
information.

Deaf-blindness Deaf blindness is Causes of deaf blindness Children who are deafblind Early intervention is the best way https://
when children Some of the causes of might have eyes and ears that to support your child’s raisingchildr
have problems deaf blindness in look the same as everybody development. Early intervention en.net.au/
with both seeing children include: else’s. Often, it will be includes therapies, education and disability/
and hearing. It’s something about a child’s other supports that will help your guide-to-
sometimes called  Genetic behavior or the way they use child reach their full potential. It disabilities/
‘dual sensory’ conditions like their eyes that makes you also includes helping you learn assessment-
loss. Congenital Usher syndrome think there could be a how to spend time with your child diagnosis/
deaf blindness is and CHARGE problem with their hearing or in ways that support their deafblindnes
when the problems syndrome vision. Most babies start to development. Children learn the s
are there from  Viral infection focus on faces and things by most from the people who care
when children are during 4-5 weeks of age. They turn for them and with whom they
born. Acquired pregnancy, their heads to hear where a spend most of their time, so
deaf blindness is including sound is coming from by 4 everyday play and
when the problems infections like months. communication with you can help
appear at some rubella and your child a lot. For example,
point during encephalitis But babies who are deafblind early intervention will help you to
childhood. Deaf  Cerebral palsy might not: understand your child’s
blindness is a  Fetal alcohol communication style. This might
lifelong condition. spectrum 1. Turn their heads to hear include gestures and signs,
disorder where a sound is coming from personalized actions, drawings,
 Premature birth make much eye contact with body language and some speech.
 Illness, trauma or you or other people
injuries. 2. React to loud noises, voices Treatment
or sounds, or they might take You and your child will probably
extra time to react work with many health and other
make sounds professionals as part of your
3. Reach out and move child’s early intervention. These
towards things professionals might include
move their arms and legs paediatricians, speech
much, grasp objects, sit, pull pathologists, special education
themselves up to stand and teachers, orientation and mobility
walk by the time you expect instructors and counsellors.
like being touched by people
or things.

These babies might also:

 sleep a lot
 cry only a little bit
 rock backwards and
 forwards
 bang their head
 poke their eyes.

Orthopedic An orthopedic Hereditary factors 1. Average or above average Much of the assistive technology https://
impairment (0I) impairment is an Congenital factors intelligence for students with OI will focus on granite.press
impairment that Environmental factors 2. Have shorter attention span access to educational materials books.pub/
interferes with the 3. Dependent on adults and the learning environment. An understandin
normal functioning  Causes of lack of 4. High anxiety elevator or ramp provides access g-and-
of bones, muscles amniotic fluid in 5. Frustration to spaces when a staircase is supporting-
or joints. The child the womb of the 6. Inaccurate coordination of insurmountable for someone who learners-
may be considered mother, & family limbs uses a wheelchair. Similarly, with-
handicapped, if his history of the 7. Deformity specialized hardware and disabilities/
physical condition condition. 8. Paralysis software, called assistive or chapter/
prevents full  Dislocation of 9. Jerky movements adaptive technology, allows orthopedic-
participation in hip in accident 10. Difficulty in walking people with mobility impairments impairments/
childhood  Caused by gene 11. Grasping to use computers. These tools
activities of a mutation. Shown allow a person with limited,
social, to be associated uncontrollable, or no hand or arm
recreational, with advanced movement to successfully
educational and paternal age. perform in school and job
vocational nature. Gene mutation settings.
affect bone
formation
 Infections
 Lack of child
immunization
 Various diseases
 Doses of drugs

Attention Deficit Attention deficit The exact cause of Symptoms of ADHD tend to Treatment for attention deficit https://
Hyperactive hyperactivity attention deficit be noticed at an early age and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) www.nhs.uk/
Disorder (ADHD) disorder (ADHD) hyperactivity disorder may become more noticeable can help relieve the symptoms conditions/
is a condition that (ADHD) is not fully when a child's circumstances and make the condition much less attention-
affects people's understood, although a change, such as when they
of a problem in day-to-day life. deficit-
behaviour. People combination of factors is start school. The symptoms of
ADHD can be treated using hyperactivity
with ADHD can thought to be attention deficit hyperactivity
medicine or therapy, but a -disorder-
seem restless, may responsible. disorder (ADHD) can be combination of both is often best. adhd/
have trouble categorized into 2 types of
Treatment is usually arranged by treatment/
concentrating and  Genetics behavioral problems: a specialist, such as a pediatrician
may act on  Brain function or psychiatrist, although the
impulse. Most and structure 1. Inattentiveness (difficulty condition may be monitored by a
cases are  Groups at risk concentrating and focusing) GP.
diagnosed when
children are 3 to 7 Certain people are also  having a short Medicine
years old, but believed to be more at attention span and There are 5 types of medicine
sometimes it's risk of ADHD, being easily distracted licensed for the treatment of
diagnosed later in including people:  making careless ADHD:
childhood. mistakes – for
Sometimes ADHD  Who were born example, in  methylphenidate
was not recognised prematurely schoolwork  lisdexamfetamine
when someone (before the 37th  appearing forgetful or  dexamfetamine
was a child, and week of losing things  atomoxetine
they are diagnosed pregnancy) or  being unable to stick  guanfacine
later as an adult. with a low to tasks that are
birthweight tedious or time- These medicines are not a
 With epilepsy consuming permanent cure for ADHD but
 With brain  appearing to be unable may help someone with the
damage – which to listen to or carry out condition concentrate better, be
happened either instructions less impulsive, feel calmer, and
in the womb or  constantly changing learn and practice new skills.
after a severe activity or task
head injury later  having difficulty
in life organizing tasks

2. Hyperactivity and
impulsiveness
 being unable to sit
 still, especially in calm
or quiet surroundings
 constantly fidgeting
 being unable to
concentrate on tasks
 excessive physical
movement
 excessive talking
 being unable to wait
their turn
 acting without
thinking
 interrupting
conversations
 little or no sense of
danger

Developmental Minor, temporary Developmental delay Exhibiting some of the  Remember that children https://
delay (DD) delays are usually may be caused by a following signs can mean that develop at different rates, www.healthli
no cause for alarm, variety of factors, your child has delays in so it’s possible that what ne.com/
but an ongoing including: developing certain fine or you think of as a delay health/
delay or multiple gross motor functions: might be normal for your development
delays in reaching  Heredity child. However, if you’re al-
milestones can be  Complications 1. Floppy or loose trunk and concerned, it is important delay#outloo
a sign there may during limbs to get your child evaluated k
be challenges later pregnancy 2. Stiff arms and legs by professionals.
in life. Delay in  Premature birth limited movement in arms and  School-age children
reaching language, legs diagnosed with a
thinking, social, or The cause isn’t always 3. Inability to sit without developmental delay, may
motor skills known. support by 9 months old be eligible for special
milestones is 4. Dominance of involuntary services. These services
called reflexes over voluntary vary according to need
developmental movements and location.
 delay. 5. Inability to bear weight on  Check with your
legs and stand up by about 1 physician and your school
year old district to find out what
services are available.
Specialized education,
especially when started
early, can help your child
progress and achieve more
in school.
 Treatments for
developmental delays vary
according to the specific
delay. Some treatments
include physical therapy
for help in motor skill
delays, and behavioral and
educational therapy for
help with ASD and other
delays.
 In some cases,
medications may be
prescribed. An evaluation
and diagnosis from a
pediatrician is crucial to
come up with a treatment
plan specially designed
for your child.

Traumatic brain Traumatic brain Common events causing Infants and young children Always see your doctor if you or https://
injury (TBI) injury usually traumatic brain injury with brain injuries might not your child has received a blow to www.mayocl
results from a include the following: be able to communicate the head or body that concerns inic.org/
violent blow or jolt headaches, sensory problems, you or causes behavioral changes. diseases-
to the head or  Falls confusion and similar Seek emergency medical care if conditions/
body. An object  Vehicle-related symptoms. In a child with there are any signs or symptoms traumatic-
that goes through collisions traumatic brain injury, you of traumatic brain injury brain-injury/
brain tissue, such  Violence may observe: following a recent blow or other symptoms-
as a bullet or  Sports injuries. traumatic injury to the head. causes/syc-
shattered piece of  Explosive blasts 1. Change in eating or nursing 20378557
skull, also can and other combat habits The terms "mild," "moderate" and
cause traumatic injuries 2. Unusual or easy irritability "severe" are used to describe the
brain injury. Mild 3. Persistent crying and effect of the injury on brain
traumatic brain inability to be consoled function. A mild injury to the
injury may affect 4. Change in ability to pay brain is still a serious injury that
your brain cells attention requires prompt attention and an
temporarily. More- 5. Change in sleep habits accurate diagnosis.
serious traumatic 6. Seizures
brain injury can 7. Sad or depressed mood Preventing falls
result in bruising, 8. Drowsiness The following tips can help older
torn tissues, 9. Loss of interest in favorite adults avoid falls around the
bleeding and other toys or activities house:
physical damage to
the brain. These  Install handrails in
injuries can result bathrooms
in long-term  Put a nonslip mat in the
complications or bathtub or shower
death.  Remove area rugs
 Install handrails on both
sides of staircases
 Improve lighting in the
home, especially around
stairs
 Keep stairs and floors
clear of clutter
 Get regular vision
checkups
 Get regular exercise
 Preventing head injuries in
children
The following tips can help
children avoid head injuries:

 Install safety gates at the

top of a stairway
 Keep stairs clear of clutter
 Install window guards to
prevent falls
 Put a nonslip mat in the
bathtub or shower
 Use playgrounds that have
shock-absorbing materials
on the ground
 Make sure area rugs are
secure
 Don't let children play on
fire escapes or balconies
 Multiple disabilities
definition, cause, sign &
symptoms, and early
intervention

Multiple disabilities A child who has Other causes can Some of the common An in-depth evaluation would be https://
more than one include: characteristics of children needed, including the nature and www.arc.org.
disability is said to with multiple disabilities extent of the child’s disabilities. It mv/
have multiple  Chromosomal include: h is important to identify the arccando/
disabilities. This abnormalities individual disabilities and the multiple-
refers to a  Lack of oxygen 1. Hampered speech and severity of these disabilities that disabilities/
combination of at birth communication skills the child has, to understand how
disabilities causing  Premature birth 2. Difficulties with mobility the combination of these
severe educational  Difficulties after and the need for assistance in disabilities affect the child’s
birth everyday activities
 needs that require  Poor 3. Sometimes seizures also learning, balance, use of the
providing a special development of accompany multiple senses, etc. This information is
education program the brain or disabilities. required for professionals to
designed to spinal cord decide the type of support,
address the  Infections The main areas of services and therapies the child
educational needs  Genetic development that are usually would need.
that arise from all disorders affected in children with
of the child’s  Injuries from multiple disabilities include Treatment
disabilities, not accidents intellectual and sensory For children with Multiple
just one. Multiple functioning, motor skills and Disabilities, physical and
disabilities can adaptive skills, as well as occupational therapy can help
mean different communication skills. ease physical challenges, and this
combinations for could help a child’s ability to
different children, function at school. Assistive
and a few possible Technology, Braille, hearing aids
combinations and sign language can be used to
could be assist with communication
intellectual problems and hearing and visual
disability and impairments. Hand held personal
blindness or computers with touch screen and
intellectual audio and visual information
disability and containing messages and
orthopedic instructions can be particularly
impairment, or helpful for children with motor
cerebral palsy and control issues. Physical therapy
autism. and orthopedic supports could
also be necessary, to help with
mobility.

As a summary of what we have learned in this module complete this matrix according to the IDEA classification.