Physical disability
Overview
Either a temporary or permanent physical limitation which inhibits the physical function, mobility, dexterity or stamina of one or more limbs on a person. These impairments can typically have an impact on various facets in daily life.
Key Features
Some key features or types of physical disabilities include:
Mobility Impairments: Mobility impairments affect a person's ability to move freely or independently. This may include difficulties with walking, standing, balancing, or using limbs. Conditions such as paralysis, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and amputations can result in mobility impairments.
Orthopedic Disabilities: Orthopedic disabilities involve conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Examples include arthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis, and limb length discrepancies.
Neurological Disabilities: Neurological disabilities affect the nervous system and can result in impairments in movement, sensation, coordination, or cognitive function. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury are examples of neurological disabilities.
Visual Impairments: Visual impairments refer to conditions that affect vision, ranging from partial sight to total blindness. This includes conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and congenital visual impairments.
Hearing Impairments: Hearing impairments involve difficulties with hearing or auditory processing. This includes conditions such as deafness, hearing loss, and auditory processing disorders.
Speech and Communication Disorders: Speech and communication disorders affect the ability to produce or comprehend spoken language. This includes conditions such as stuttering, aphasia, dysarthria, and developmental language disorders.
Chronic Pain Conditions: Chronic pain conditions involve persistent pain that lasts for an extended period, often due to underlying medical conditions or injuries. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and chronic back pain are examples of chronic pain conditions that can result in physical disabilities.
Degenerative Disorders: Degenerative disorders involve progressive deterioration of bodily functions over time. This includes conditions such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease.
Developmental Disabilities: Developmental disabilities encompass a range of conditions that affect physical, cognitive, or behavioral development. This includes conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida.
These are just a few examples of the many types of physical disabilities that individuals may experience. Each disability is unique, and its impact on an individual's life can vary depending on factors such as severity, onset, and individual circumstances. It's important to recognize and accommodate the diverse needs and experiences of people with physical disabilities to promote inclusion, accessibility, and equality.
How We Can Help
Psychologists may support individuals with physical disabilities by providing counselling and treatment for psychological distress and other problems related to the disability. Psychologists, in tandem with other allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists, may support indivdiuals' needs by advocating for them and facilitating assistance for everyday-life functioning and skills development.
We provide assistance to people with physical disabilities and their families and carers to manage the impacts of their disabilities on their lives and improve their overall wellbeing.