Disability and Disorder

Disability refers to a condition which makes it difficult for an individual

to function effectively be it in any domain – physical, cognitive, social,
emotional, sensory or at times they may be comorbid with each other.
Examples of disabilities include blindness, deafness, mobility
impairments, intellectual disabilities, and conditions like cerebral palsy
or multiple sclerosis.
It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired due to illness, injury,
or aging.
UN Convention defines disability as long term physical, inteleectual or
sensory impairments which may hinder a person’s effective
participation in society as compared with others.
A disorder typically refers to a disruption or disturbance in the normal
functioning of a person's physical or mental health. It implies a deviation
from what is considered typical or healthy.

Examples of disorders include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major

depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), and various medical disorders such as diabetes or
autoimmune conditions.

Disorders can be caused by genetic factors, environmental influences,

biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these factors. They often
involve symptoms that affect thoughts, emotions, behaviors, or physical
health.
Types of Disability
Intellectual Physical
Disability Learning Disability
Characterised by Disability
Characterised
limitations in Characterised by mobility
intellectual by limitations in impairment or
functioning and reading, writing, sensory
adaptive comprehension, impairment.
behavior. arithmetic,
working Eg – Cerebral
Eg – Down
memory, Palsy, VI, HI
Syndrome,
Autism processing
speed.
Eg – Dyslexia,
Dysgraphia,
Dyscalculia
Causes of Disability

Genetic Factors:
Chromosomal Abnormalities: Conditions like Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is
caused by genetic mutations or abnormalities.
Inherited Conditions: Conditions passed down through families, such as
hemophilia or certain types of deafness.
Prenatal Developmental Factors:
• Maternal Infections: Infections such as rubella (German measles) during
pregnancy can affect foetal development and lead to disabilities.
• Exposure to Teratogens: Substances like alcohol, certain medications, and illicit
drugs (e.g., cocaine) can interfere with fetal development and cause disabilities.
• Maternal Malnutrition: Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy can impact fetal
development and increase the risk of disabilities.
Birth Complications:
• Premature Birth: Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation)
may experience developmental delays or disabilities due to incomplete
organ and brain development.
• Birth Trauma: Difficult labor, oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), or physical
trauma during birth can lead to disabilities such as cerebral palsy or
intellectual disabilities.
• Infectious Diseases: Certain infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis,
or polio, can cause damage to the nervous system or other organs,
resulting in disabilities.
• Traumatic Events: Falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or other accidents
can result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or limb loss,
leading to disabilities.
Disability Etiquettes
• Respect and Dignity:
• Treat individuals with disabilities with the same respect and dignity as you would anyone else. Avoid making assumptions or stereotypes
based on disability.
• Person-First Language:
• Use person-first language to emphasize the person rather than the disability. For example, say "person with a disability" rather than
"disabled person."
• Ask, Don't Assume:
• If you're unsure how to assist or interact with someone with a disability, politely ask them if they need help and follow their instructions.
• Accessible Communication:
• Ensure communication is accessible. Speak directly to the person, not their companion or interpreter, and maintain eye contact if
appropriate. Speak clearly and at a normal volume unless requested otherwise.
• Physical Access:
• Be mindful of physical accessibility needs. Offer assistance with doors, ramps, or other accommodations if needed, but wait for acceptance
before providing help.
• Awareness of Invisible Disabilities:
• Recognize that not all disabilities are visible. Avoid assuming someone does not have a disability because it's not immediately apparent.
• Be Patient and Flexible:
• Understand that individuals with disabilities may have different needs or require additional time to communicate or complete tasks. Be
patient and allow for flexibility in interactions.
• Specific Tips for Different Disabilities:
• Mobility Impairments:
• Offer assistance with doors, elevators, or uneven terrain, but wait for acceptance before
providing help. Do not touch mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, canes) without permission.
• Visual Impairments:
• Identify yourself when approaching someone who is blind or has low vision. Offer
assistance with navigation if needed, but wait for acceptance and provide verbal directions.
• Hearing Impairments:
• Face the person directly and speak clearly. Use gestures or write down information if
necessary. Consider using visual aids or captions for presentations or discussions.
• Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities:
• Use simple language and provide clear instructions. Allow extra time for understanding and
responding. Respect personal boundaries and avoid talking down to individuals.
•Accessibility:
Ensure that meetings, events, and workplaces are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Provide accessible formats for documents, presentations, and online materials.

•Accommodations:
Respect accommodations requested by employees or participants with disabilities.
Consult with them to determine their needs and ensure they are met effectively.

•Inclusive Practices:
Foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity.
Educate colleagues or team members on disability awareness and etiquette to
promote a welcoming environment.
Role of Various Professionals
• Special Educator:
• Assessment and Individualized Education Plan (IEP):
• Conducts assessments to identify the child's strengths, weaknesses, and
learning needs.
• Develops Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to the child's abilities
and challenges, focusing on academic, social, and life skills development.
• Instruction and Support:
• Provides specialized instruction and educational interventions to
help the child achieve educational goals.
• Adapts teaching strategies, materials, and techniques to suit the
child's learning style and abilities.
• Counselor:
• Emotional and Social Support:
• Provides emotional support and counseling to CWSN, helping them navigate
challenges related to self-esteem, social relationships, and emotional well-
being.
• Facilitates social skills development and peer interactions.
• Behavioral Interventions:
• Assesses behavioral issues and develops strategies to address challenging
behaviors.
• Collaborates with teachers and parents to implement behavior
management plans and interventions.
•Functional Assessment:
•Conducts assessments to evaluate the child's sensory processing, motor skills,
and activities of daily living (ADLs).
•Identifies areas of difficulty and functional limitations that impact the child's
independence and participation.

•Therapeutic Interventions:
•Develops and implements individualized OT interventions to improve
motor coordination, fine motor skills, sensory integration, and ADL performance.
•Uses therapeutic activities, exercises, and adaptive equipment
to promote independence and skill development.

•Environmental Modifications:
•Recommends modifications and adaptations to the child's environment
(e.g., classroom, home) to enhance accessibility and support functional skills.
•Improved Motor Skills: Physical activities help develop and enhance both gross motor skills
(e.g., walking, running) and fine motor skills (e.g., hand-eye coordination, dexterity).
•Increased Strength and Endurance: Regular physical activities improve muscle strength,
endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.
•Healthy Weight Management: Engaging in physical activities helps CWSN maintain a
healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity and associated health problems.

•Improved Concentration and Focus: Physical activities stimulate brain function,

enhancing concentration, attention span, and cognitive abilities.

•Social and Emotional Benefits:

•Increased Social Interaction: Physical activities often involve group settings or team sports,
providing opportunities for CWSN to interact with peers, develop social skills, and build friendships.
•Boosted Self-Esteem: Achieving physical goals and mastering new skills through activities
can boost self-confidence and self-esteem in CWSN.
•Behavioral Management:

•Reduced Hyperactivity and Aggression: Physical activities provide an outlet for excess
energy, helping to reduce hyperactive behaviors and aggression in some CWSN.

•Improved Behavior Regulation: Regular physical activity contributes to better behavioral

regulation, enhancing self-control and reducing disruptive behaviors.
Increasing Access
•Adapted Equipment and Facilities:
•Provide specialized adaptive equipment and facilities that cater to the needs of CWSN,
such as adaptive bikes, sports wheelchairs, sensory-friendly spaces, and accessible changing rooms.
•Inclusive Programming:
•Develop inclusive physical activity programs that accommodate a diverse range of abilities and disabilities.
Offer options for adapted sports, modified games, and activities that can be easily adjusted to meet
individual needs.
•Trained Staff and Volunteers:
•Train physical education teachers, coaches, and volunteers on inclusive practices
and strategies for adapting activities. Ensure they have knowledge of various disabilities
and how to support CWSN effectively during physical activities.
•Accessibility Assessments and Modifications:
•Conduct accessibility assessments of physical activity facilities and outdoor spaces.
Make necessary modifications such as adding ramps, tactile guiding paths,
sensory-friendly equipment, and designated quiet areas.