COMMON DISABILITIES

List of Common Disabilities

Education is KEY

ADHD- A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school or work.

Autism- A serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors.

Aphasia-A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate. Aphasia affects a person's ability to express and understand written and spoken language.

Cerebral palsy-A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. Symptoms include exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs, and involuntary motions. These appear by early childhood.

Depression- The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms. These may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.

Epilepsy- A disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behavior, symptoms, and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness. There are few symptoms between seizures.

Dyslexia- A learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading. Symptoms include late talking, learning new words slowly, and a delay in learning to read.

ODD- The cause of oppositional defiant disorder is unknown but likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms generally begin before a child is eight years old. They include irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, aggression, and vindictiveness that last more than six months and cause significant problems at home or school.

Anxiety- is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave and can cause physical symptoms.

Asperger Syndrome- Asperger syndrome is a condition on the autism spectrum, with generally higher functioning. People with this condition may be socially awkward and have an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.

Bipolar Disorder- A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep, and loss of touch with reality. Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.

Down syndrome- Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. Down syndrome causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability, developmental delays, and may be associated with thyroid or heart disease

Dyscalculia- difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic, such as difficulty in understanding numbers, learning how to manipulate numbers, and learning facts in mathematics. It is generally seen as the mathematical equivalent to dyslexia.

Dyspraxia- A childhood developmental disorder marked by clumsiness in otherwise healthy kids. Symptoms include delays in sitting or walking. Children may find it difficult to jump or perform tasks such as tying shoelaces.

Intellectual disability- Below average intelligence and set of life skills present before age 18. The main symptom is difficulty thinking and understanding. Life skills that can be impacted include certain conceptual, social, and practical skills.

Sensory Processing Disorder- SPD is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Formerly referred to as sensory integration dysfunction, it is not currently recognized as a distinct medical diagnosis.