Intellectual Disability

6 Deaf--Blindness----A combination of hearing & vision loss that affects a student's ability to communicate, access information, & navigate the environment.
Examples: Usher Syndrome, CHARGE Syndrome, Cortical blindness

7 Traumatic Brain Injury----An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external force that results in physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges.
Examples: concussion, brain hemorrhage, accidents

8 Emotional Disturbed-----A condition that affects students ability to learn due to emotional or behavioral challenges.
Examples: Anxiety, Depression, Mood disorders

9 Developmental Delay----A delay in one or more areas of development that impacts a student's learning or progress
Examples: speech delay, motor skill delay, cognitive delay

10 Deafness----A student's total or neal total hearing loss that can impact communication & learning
Examples: profound deafness & prelingual deafness

11 Multiple Disabilities----The combination of 2 or more disabilities that significantly impact a students learning & daily functioning
Examples: Autism Intellectual Disability & Cerebral Palsy----Vision Impairment

12 Other Health Impairment----A chronic or acute health condition that limits a students strength, vitality, or alertness, affecting their learning
Examples: Asthma, ADHD, & Diabetes

13 Specific Learning Disability-----A disorder in basic psychological processes that affects a students ability to listen, think, speak, write, or do math.
Examples: Dyslexia (reading), Dyscalculia (math), Dysgraphia (writing)

The Different Kinds of Disabilities

Physical----a physical disability affects the body & may impact mobility, dexterity, or overall physical function
Mental----a mental disability affects cognitive functioning, including how a person thinks, learns, & remembers
Psychiatric----a psychiatric disability affects mood, thinking, or behavior & may impact daily functioning
Learning disabilities-----a learning disability affects the ability to acquire, process, or retain information in typical ways
Developmental----a developmental disability affects growth, communication, social skills, or behavior. It often begins in childhood & can last a lifetime.

Developmental Disabilities Include: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Epilepsy

Learning Disabilities Include: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Language Processing Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, Nonverbal learning disabilities, Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

The 13 Categories of Students with Disabilities

1 Orthopedic Impairment----A severe injury or disorder of the bones, muscles, or joints that limits a student's movement.
Examples: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Amputations

2 Intellectual Disability-----Significantly below average general intellectual functioning that affects adaptive behavior.
Examples: Learning difficulty, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delay

3 Speech Language Impairment----A communication disorder that affects a student's ability to speak, understand, or use language effectively.
Examples: apraxia of speech, language delay, stuttering

4 Autism----A developmental disability that affects social skills, communication, behavior, interests, & activities
Examples: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

5 Hearing Impairment----An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that affects a student's ability to process sound.
Examples: deafness, hard of hearing

Cerebral Palsy (CP)
What is CP? CP is a group of neurological disorders that can appear in infancy or early childhood & permanently affects a person's motor abilities. Posture, movement, & balance are all impacted by this neurological condition

Symptoms
lack of muscle coordination
stiff or tight muscles (spasticity)
weakness in arm(s) &/or leg(s)
shaking or involuntary movements
delays in motor milestones
difficulties with precise moments

Cognitive Impairments associated with Cerebral Palsy
Intellectual disability
Memory Impairments
learning disabilities
ADHD
Executive functioning challenges
Communication difficulties

3 Things You Might not know about Cerebral Palsy
1 CP is the most common physical disability in childhood----but it's a lifelong condition that affects adults too.
2 No two people with CP are alike. It affects everyone differently from mild to more significant impacts on movement & coordination
3 People with CP are problem-solvers by nature----navigating a world not built for them makes them some of the most creative, adaptable people you'll meet

Cerebral Palsy Fast Facts
1 Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood motor disability
2 Over 50% of children with CP can walk
3 Early identification of CP is possible & important. Young children's brains can be rewired to positively impact development
4 Medical costs are around 10 times higher for children with CP
5 Occupational, physical, & speech therapy can make a difference for kids with CP

Hi my name is Saida Mahoney and this is my story

I am more than my Autism Spectrum Disorder and the chronic conditions I live with.

My life cannot be defined by medical labels alone, and my identity is not limited to diagnosis or circumstances.

Yes, I live with chronic complex disabilities. Yes, they shape parts of my daily life and the way I move through the world.

But they do not define the fullness of who I am and what I am about.

My chronic disabilities are part of my story and my journey but they are not my ending.

Beyond my chronic health conditions, I am someone who learns, grows, creates, Lead and advocates.

I am a writer, I am an author of 13 books, I am a podcaster. I am someone who uses my voice to share my experiences and to help others feel seen, be heard and understood.

I care deeply about community, connection, and belonging.

I am still becoming.

Living with my chronic disabilities has shaped my perspective, but it has never taken away my ability to dream, to hope, to believe or to build meaning in my life.

It has taught me resilience, patience, awareness, courage and strength—but it is only one part of a much larger journey.

I am not only someone who lives with challenges. I am also someone who lives with purpose.

There are many layers to who I am, what I am and none of them exist alone.

My experiences with multiple chronic complex disabilities are real, but so are my dreams and my wishes.

My experiences with my Autism make communication challenging and so much more etc and I am more unique because of it

My limitations are real, but so are my possibilities.

I refuse to be reduced to a diagnosis.

I am shaped by my experiences, but I am not confined by them.

Every day, I continue to grow into myself. I continue to learn, to express, to grow and to move forward with hope.

My life is still unfolding, still expanding, still blossoming and still becoming.

My disabilities are part of my story—but they are not the ending.

I am still becoming.

#Autism #IntellectualDisability

I’m new here I have intellectual disability & autism & high anxiety. Looking for friends for support.

What Is Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X Syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. It results from a mutation in the FMR1 gene that stops the production of a vital brain protein (FMRP)which can lead to developmental, learning, and behavioral issues like anxiety, ADHD, and autism-like traits. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Fragile X Syndrome, but the good news is that early interventions like speech, occupational, and physical therapy and medications for mental health disorders or ADHD can significantly help manage symptoms, improve skills, and enhance the quality of life of people who have this syndrome. Oh and ongoing research is currently exploring gene therapies for people living with Fragile X Syndrome.

What Is Angelman Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder that causes severe developmental delays, intellectual disability, limited speech, seizures, and movement and balance issues. It is often accompanied by a happy demeanor, frequent smiling and laughter, and a fascination with water. On the other hand, Angelmen Syndrome is caused by the absence or malfunction of the maternal UBE3A gene on chromosome 15. Last but not least, while there's no cure for Angelman Syndrome the good news is that therapies like occupational, physical and speech can help people who have it manage symptoms and live a healthy and productive life,