Common Types of Disabilities & Their Impact on Daily Life

There are multiple categories of disabilities. They all affect individuals in different ways. People may have one or more forms of disabilities. Here are some common types of disabilities and their impact on an individual’s life. 

Physical Disabilities
A physical disability indicates any condition that affects an individual’s ability to move and perform everyday tasks considered normal for most people. It may happen with muscles, bones, nervous system. Depending on the person, its intensity can vary, from mild limitations to complete loss of function.

There are different types of physical disabilities. For example-cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, amputation, etc. 

Impact On Life
People suffering from it struggle with walking, using their hands, and performing manual tasks. They need wheelchairs, walkers, or prosthetics to keep their lives going. 

Sensory Disabilities
Sensory disabilities may affect one or more of the body’s five senses- sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Individuals suffering from it have reduced ability to perceive information through one of these senses. As a result, they experience difficulties while interacting with the world around them.

There are different types of sensory disabilities. It includes-

• Vision impairments (reduced ability to see things around)
• Hearing impairments (reduced ability to hear sound)
• Touch impairments (reduced ability to feel physical sensations through the skin)
• Taste and smell impairments (reduced ability to taste and smell)

Impact on Life
People suffering from sensory disabilities face difficulties in day-to-day life. They might have an isolated life. Moreover, they face problems while communicating with others. You may need to use sign language, written communication, and other methods to communicate with them. 

Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities are a group of different developmental conditions. Usually, minors have such problems. But even adults may suffer from such issues. There are different types of intellectual disabilities. It includes Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and Prader-Willi syndrome. Always remember, intellectual disabilities are not a disease. It’s a lifelong condition that determines how people think, learn, and work in everyday life.

Impact on Life
People suffering from intellectual disability face problems in communication with others or performing everyday tasks. They may not be comfortable with independent living. 

Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are neurologically based processing problems. They affect how individuals receive, process, and express information. There are different types of learning disabilities- 

• Dyslexia (difficulty in reading)
• Dyscalculia (difficulty with math)
• Dysgraphia (difficulty in writing)
• Auditory processing disorder
• Nonverbal learning disabilities

Impact on Life
Individuals with learning disabilities face problems in school, college, the workplace, and everyday communication. 

Mental Health Disabilities
Mental health disabilities (also called psychological disorders) are mental health conditions. They affect people’s daily life, their relationships, and their ability to perform everyday tasks. These disabilities can take place in episodes and can last longer if ignored. Over time, its intensity may vary. 

There are different types of mental disabilities-

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Impact on Life
Mental health disabilities may affect all important aspects of an individual’s life. In severe cases, people isolate themselves and experience many health issues. 

Developmental Disabilities
These disabilities are a group of chronic conditions. They target people during their development period and can last throughout their lives if left untreated. There are different types of developmental disabilities- 

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)- It affects how people behave, communicate, and learn things. 
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)- It is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is caused by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Its symptoms may be excessive and pervasive. 
• Cerebral palsy- It can be both physical and developmental. 
  
  

Impact on Life
Developmental disabilities affect different aspects of an individual’s life. He might face problems in self-care, learning new things, communicating with others, etc.