Different Types of Disabilities
Are there different types of disabilities?
Those living with developmental disabilities may share some of the same characteristics, there are actually multiple characteristics that can be shown and they are broken down into four main categories.
Nervous Systems Disabilities
The first category is nervous system disabilities. These are birth defects that affect function of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.
This kind of disability can have an impact on someone’s learning and intellectual disability. This can also cause behavioral, speech, and language impairments.
Some of the main disorders that come from nervous system disability are autism, down syndrome, and mental retardation.
Metabolic Disorders
The second category of developmental disability is metabolic disorder. This is birth defect that affects the persons metabolism.
It affects the way that the body breaks down and processes food and other materials the body needs to survive.
A commonly known metabolic disorder is called Phenylketonuria. This condition is where there is a problem with an enzyme and it speeds up chemical reactions and can cause intellectual development disorder (IDD)
Degenerative Disorders
The third developmental disability is degenerative disorder. Those born with this disorder may seam normal at birth but because of this disorder, they eventually lose ability.
A lot of times degenerative disorder is not noticed until later on in life. This disorder can cause physical, mental, and sensory problems depending on the person.
A common degenerative disorder is Rett syndrome. This is most common in women and caused by genetic differences.
Sensory Disorders
The fourth and final developmental disability is sensory related disability. This is a birth defect that messes with the ability for the body to sense the world around it.
Those who have this disorder have a problem using and understanding their five senses. Sensory disabilities are often a comorbidity with other developmental disabilities.
An example of this is Williams Syndrome. Those who have this can have trouble using spatial reasoning with objects. Those with Fragile X syndrome can be more sensitive to loud noises that others.
Regardless of what type of abilities a person presents with, each individual deserves a full and integrated life in their communities.
Each individual living with disabilities has unique needs and at Sample Support we work together with individuals and their support teams to create individualized and person centered services in every area of their lives.
Learn more about Sample Supports services
Reference: By. (2020, May 22). What is a developmental disability? Therapy 2000. https://www.t2000.com/what-is-a-developmental-disability/#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20main%20types,under%20these%20four%20main%20groups.
