[Craghyrax]

A few common disabilities...

I've compiled a brief outline of some common learning difficulties and disorders. This is for people who know they are struggling, but aren't sure what their problem might be, or for people who are interested in finding out more about what these disorders entail.

When reading these lists please remember that they're only a brief summary and that each condition is far more complex. People with a condition don't necessarily display all of the symptoms described, and a person's symptoms may overlap with more than one condition.

If you have any suggestions to make, I intend to update and improve it. It is a work in progress.

If you have any questions or need anything explained please don't hesitate to PM me.

ADD/ADHD

ADD/ADHD

ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) are developmental disorders with the following effects:

• Delayed development in quite a few areas
• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty completing tasks
• Difficulty following instructions
• Missing details and being disorganised
• Talking excessively
• Hyperactivity
• Often interrupting/struggling to wait for turn before acting.

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome

A pervasive developmental disorder on the Autistic Spectrum

Aspergers Syndrome can affect people in the following ways:

• A narrow interest or obsession with a particular subject or interest
• Repetitive behaviours or rituals
• Unusual language or speech ( for instance using more outdated 'proper' English..etc)
• Very logical or technical thinking
• Socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour and interpersonal interaction
• Problems with non-verbal communication (eg facial expressions and body language)
• Sometimes clumsy/uncoordinated
• A tendency to think very literally, and interpret things literally (problems understanding subtlety)
• Can be very pedantic
• Can experience sensory overload (Sensory Integration Dysfunction)

Discalculia

Discalculia

Discalculia is a Learning Disability described as:

“An inability to conceptualize numbers as abstract concepts of comparative quantities.."

People with Discalculia experience the following:

• Confuse maths symbols like + or –
• Can’t tell which of two numbers are larger
• May use fingers to count
• Struggle with things like reading clocks or counting change
• Struggle with budgeting or estimating costs
• Experience difficulties with timetables or mental arithmetic
• Experiene difficulties with judging time
• Have problems discerning left from right
• Poor sense of direction, and difficulty with mental navigation
• Experience difficulties measuring distance
• Experience difficulties grasping mathematical concepts, formulae, etc
• Experience difficulties keeping score during games (especially games with more flexible rules for scoring)
• Have a phobia of Maths
• Experience difficulties with activities requiring sequential processing.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability

People with Dyslexia may experience any of these symptoms:

• Problems with reading, spelling and writing (these would be severely below average)
• May learn better through hands on demonstration and visuals
• Struggle concentrating
• May feel stupid or have a low self esteem
• Same intelligence range as that of those without dyslexia
• May struggle with left and right, or determining before or after
• Might have or have had difficulty speaking properly due to a struggle to learn and hear words properly. So..may battle with things like understanding directions, finding words to express themselves..etc
• Poor, slow handwriting
• May have poor coordination and clumsiness

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia

People with Dyspraxia experience the following difficulties:

• Clumsiness, poor balance and difficulty picking up and holding things.
• Difficulty telling left from right, and problems with spatial awareness (judging distances/positioning...etc)
• Sensory Integration Dysfunction (being overly or underly sensitive to stimuli from one or more of the five senses) which may trigger panic attacks.
• Difficulty sleeping due to inability to ‘shut brain down’.
• Distractability and daydreaming
• Short term memory difficulties
• Tiredness (due to the extra difficulty of performing normal tasks)
• Often frustration and low self-esteem

High Functioning Autism

High Functioning Autism

People with HFA are autistic, but have a normal or above average IQ.

HFA may affect people in the following ways:

• Battle to predict reaction of society to their behaviour
• Can be overly trusting or alternatively paranoid towards strangers
• Experience sensory integration dysfunction (overly or underly sensitive to stimuli from senses)
• Can be very detached/distant
• May struggle to retain eye contact
• Overly serious, no capacity for ‘small talk’
• Clumsiness and coordination problems
• Can be empathetic but have difficulty communicating or expressing emotion
• Are capable of being intensely focussed

Spoiler:

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DISCLAIMER: I used wikipedia as my main reference tool. This thread is meant to give people a rough outline of a few common disabilities and disorders, from which point they can ask more questions or research it further themselves.

[k9ruby]

Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified

Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified

A pervasive developmental disorder is a disorder characterised by delays in the development of certain skills such as socialisation and communication. Prevasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified is used to describe a person who may fit the features of a pervasive developmental disorder/autistic spectrum disorder but doesn't fit the full profile for a specific PDD such as Autism or Asperger’s Disorder.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a deficiency in the ability to write. This isn’t as a result of any intellectual impairment. Instead, someone with dysgraphia lacks the co-ordination and fine motor skills needed to write quickly and legibly. Due to their poor motor skills they may find other tasks difficult (eg. Tying show laces). They may have a reduced handwriting speed but may also make spelling mistakes frequently (eg. Getting “bs” and “ds” mixed up).

Dysgraphia can also be a symptom of a number of other conditions such as dyspraxia.

Sensory Integrative Disorder

Sensory Intergrative Disorder - Sometimes abbreviated to "SID" or called "Sensory Processing Disorder", it is a neurological condition that causes difficulties with processing information from the senses (the five classic senses; sight, sound, touch, taste and smell plus movement and the sense of position). Information from the sense is still sense normally, but processed differently and causes distress.

Signs of SPD include: -

• Physical clumsiness

• Unusually high or low activity movements

• Inapproptiate response (often particularly sensitive) to touch, sights, sounds etc.

• Poor self-esteem

A person can be diagnosed with a Sensory Processing Disorder alone, however, it is also linked to other conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Autism, High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Disorder), Developmental Disorders (eg. Dyspraxia), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and some specific learning disabilities (eg. Dyslexia).

Hypotonia

Hypotonia

Hyptonia is a condition characterised by low muscle tone and strength. It’s not a specific medical disorder, but a manifestation of different disorders including dyspraxia and hypotonic cerebral palsy.

[Titch89]

Eye and Sight Disorders

Conditions and Terms

Squint

Squint
This is where the eyes don't work together - therefore they may look in a different direction to each other and appears to be very common in children. Treatment for this usually involves wearing a patch over the good eye or surgery.

Photophobia

Photophobia
This isn't actually a phobia, but just where people are very light sensitive. Some people are light sensitive but there's no cause for it. Wearing tinted glasses, sunglasses and/or a sun hat can help.

Albinism

Albinism
This is a genetic condition which results in very little or no pigament in the hair, skin or eyes. This can result in pale skin that burns easily, almost white hair and photophobia.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism
This is where the surface of the eye is uneven and can cause headaches and blurre vision. Many people with Astigmatism tend to have other eye problems and are either long or short-sighted.

Nystagmus

Nystagmus
Nystagmus is a condition that affects eyesight. An affected person can't control their eyes very well, they may move from side to side causing their eyes to "wobble".

There are two types of Nystagmus, congenital and acquired: -

• Congenital Nystagmus - This is "early onset Nystagmus" and develops in the first few months of life. The causes can include (but are not limited to) Albinism, Down's Syndrome and it can also have a genetic basis. Children who don't have any brain or other eye problems have Congenital Idiopathic Nystagmus. Idiopathic because the cause is not known.

• Acquired Nystagmus - Acquired nystagmus can develop much later in life. It can be a symptom of another condition (stroke, multiple sclerosis); it can also be case be a blow to the head or abuse of drugs and alcohol.

In either case, Nystagmus is not infectious or contagious. It is an eye condition and not a disease.

It is estimated that Nystagmus affects between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 2,000 people.

It affects people in a number of ways, these include the following: -

• Most people have a head tilt - the reason for this is because there's a point (null point) where the eyes stop wobbling. This can cause neck pain and causes problems with balance, depth perception and co-ordination.

• Balance may be affected and this is possibly related to the poor depth perception. It may be difficult for someone with Nystagmus to use stairs or cross uneven surfaces.

• There are also important social and personal effects. For example, confidence may be reduced because of poor vision and maintaining eye contact may be difficult.

• Getting about can also be a problem, especially in unfamiliar and busy surroundings such as supermarkets and railway stations. Crossing roads can also be difficult. This can have an effect on confidence levels also. Orientation (knowing where you are) and mobility (moving from place to place safely) training can help.

• Most people with nystagmus, me included, are not allowed to drive.

• It has important effects when it comes to academic study. This can include.

1. Sharing a book because it will normally be at the wrong angle.

2. When reading, someone with nystagmus may tire very quickly because of the effort required to scan things.

3. Using a computer (specifically, looking at a monitor) can be difficult. The monitor may need to be positioned in order to suit their own needs and brightness, character size etc. adjusted. Again, some people find it difficult to read computer screens for more than a few minutes. Experimenting with different colour combinations and using large screens may help.

Many people may find that Nystagmus causes some other eye problems, including a squint, astigmatism and photophobia.

There is currently no cure for Nystagmus. Many people have vision that is worse than normal, so wear glasses. There are various drug studies at Leicester university going on. So far, the results have been promising.

For more information please see the Nystagmus Network

http://www.nystagmusnet.org/

[River85]

These are some neurological conditions and mental illness'. Please be aware that I am not a medical professional. This post (and all the others in this sticky) should serve as a rough guideline only. A helpful collection of links (for those with these conditions to find further support) and a general summary of common conditions (for friends and relatives to gain more information).

Please don't use this information to self-diagnose. If you think you may have a condition then please see your GP.

Neurological Conditions

Epilepsy

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterised by recurrent seizures. It’s quite a common (and misunderstood) disorder and affects one in every 131 people in the UK have epilepsy. This means that there are at least 456,000 people with epilepsy in the UK alone.

It can have various causes, including brain injury/trauma and, in a small minority of cases, it is genetic. However, in the majority of cases there is usually no known cause. It can affect people of any age, either gender or any socio-economic background. In the vast majority of cases it is treatable.

There are a various different types of seizures depending on which part of the brain is affected. These include: -

Partial Seizures (simple partial and complex partial seizures).

• In simple partial seizures consciousness is not affected. The person remains fully aware of what’s happening to them. They will still be able to perform routine tasks whilst having the seizure and any onlooker will not be aware of it. Symptoms may include strange sensations (feeling of fear or intense happiness, strange smells or taste, feeling of “déjà vu”.

• In complex partial seizures consciousness is affected. Complex partial seizures will usually start as a simple partial seizure (called an “aura”) and then progress to the complex seizure. There is a loss of consciousness and the person may display certain behaviours or actions such as “lip smacking” or other automotive behaviours before returning to full consciousness.

Generalised Seizures

• Absence seizures. During an absence seizure the person will lose consciousness and may look as though they are staring into space. There may be muscle twitching or jerking. However, this isn’t always the case.

• Myoclonic seizures - These are involuntary movements of the muscles. The muscles contract and relax rapidly causing “jumping movements”.

• Tonic-clonic seizures. These are the seizures most people think of when they hear the world “epilepsy”. It may start as an “aura”, a “warning feeling” of déjà vu or strange sensations described earlier. However, the person then loses full consciousness, stiffens and suffers from convulsions. After the seizure the person will often be confused, disorientated, tired and may also have temporal amnesia.

There are other kinds of seizures, but these are the main types.
In the majority of cases epilepsy can be controlled by medication (known as “anti-seizure or “anti-convulsant” medications). There are various types, some are used to treat certain kinds of partial or general seizures, some can treat most kinds of seizures.

For more information please see

http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ - Epilepsy Action
http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk The National Society for Epilepsy
http://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk – Epilepsy Scotland

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a condition characterised by excessive sleep during the time. Someone with narcolepsy may suddenly fall asleep during he day, often at inappropriate times. They may also experience disturbed sleep during the nighttime, with occasional insomnia.

Other symptoms can include

• Temporary paralysis on falling asleep or awakening.

• Hallucinations (auditory or visual) when falling asleep or awakening

• Periods of “trance-like” behaviour in which routine activities are continued on 'auto-pilot' (Automatic behaviour). This can even include conversation.

Narcolpoesy usually first presents itself during adolescence, but earlier onsets do occur, Its severity and symptoms can vary from person to person. It cannot be cured but it can be treated. Some treatments include the following: -

Re-inforcing sleep habits
aking frequent, brief naps during evenly spaced out intervals throughout the day can alleviate day time sleepiness. This may not be possible in a school, university or work setting and some teachers and employers may be more sympathetic than others and may be able to allow this as a “reasonable adjustment” (something employers and education providers are oblidged to make under the Disability Discrimination Act).

Keeping to a strict bedtime routine also may help. Getting to sleep at the same time each night and getting into a regular routine helps make night time sleep less disturbed.

Lifestyle

There are a number of lifestyle changes that a person with narcolepsy can make to help manage their condition. These include: -

• Avoiding stressful situations because stress can make the condition worse

·

• Taking regular exercise

• Avoiding heavy meals during the day and before doing any potentially dangerous activities, such as driving, or operating machinery.

Stimulants

If a GP feels it is necessary, they may prescribe a patient a type of medicine called a “stimulant”. These are substances that increase the body’s alertness. The stimulants most commonly prescribed for narcolepsy are Modafinil and Dexamphetamine. These medicines work by stimulating the central nervous system. They can be useful in narcolepsy as they help to keep the body simulated and awake during the day. As with all medications, these do have side effects and should only be used with caution and under the supervision of a medical professional.

For further information please see the Narcolepsy Foundation (UK)

http://www.narcolepsy.org.uk/

Mental Illness'

Depression

Depression

We all feel down or a “bit blue” every now and then. However, this is not depression. Depression is a condition characterised by chronic low mood and a range of other symptoms, mental, physical and social. These include: -

Mental Symptoms

• Continuous low mood, or sadness,

• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

• Low self-esteem

• Tearfulness

• Feelings of guilt

• Feeling irritable and intolerant towards others

• Lack of motivation, and little interest in things in general

• Lack of enjoyment

• Suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of harming someone else

• Feeling anxious or worried

• A reduced sex drive (loss of libido)

Physical symptoms

• Slowed movement and speech

• Change in appetite and weight

• Digestive complaints, such as indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Lack of energy and a lack of interest in sex (lower libido)

• And, for women, changes to the menstrual cycle

Social symptoms

• Not performing well at work or at school/college/university

• Taking part in fewer social activities, and avoiding contact with friends

• Reduced hobbies and interests

• Difficulties in home and with family life.

This list is not exhaustive. The presentation of depression can vary from person to person.

Depression also has a range of causes. These can usually be divided into the following: -

Psychological causes

Sometimes, particularly after a stressful live event (such as an assault or any other traumatic event, a reactive depression may occur. This is depression that can usually be traced back tot hat one life event.

Physical/Chemical causes

This is caused by changes in the chemistry of the brain. It is known that a lack of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine can cause depression. Also, changes in hormone levels (either up or down) may case depression. In women this can be seen during or after childbirth, the menstrual cycle or the menopause

Genetics

Not a “cause” as such, but certainly an influencing factor. You are more likely to develop depression is there is a history of it in your family, especially amongst first-degree relatives (e.g. Parent). This does not mean, if you do have a history of depression in your family you will suffer from depression yourself (just like it doesn’t mean that if there is no history of depression in your family, you will never develop depression).

It is important not to “self-diagnose” yourself with depression. It is also important not to be ashamed to ask for help. If you suspect you have depression then please see your GP.

Depression is treatable and the following methods are usually used: -

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and counselling. These are two types of “talking treatments”. CBT is based on the principle that the way we feel is partly dependent on the way we think about things. It teaches the person to behave in ways that challenge and change negative thoughts. Counselling allows a person to think about the problems they are experiencing in your life, in order to find new ways of dealing with them.

Anti-depressants. Ideally, mild to moderate depression should be treated with CBT/counselling (with or without anti-depressants). However, this is often not possible and you may be placed on anti-depressants alone. SSRIs (selective serotonin rebutake inhibitors) are the newer, more common anti-depressants. If you are placed on anti-depressants you must be patient. They will not have an instant effect and it can take two to four weeks for them to take effect.

Lifestyle changes. It is possible to control depression by making simple changes in your lifestyle. This can include: -

• Increasing the amount of exercise that you do. Exercise can trigger the release of the brain chemical serotonin, which boosts mood. A structured programme of aerobic exercise, such as swimming, walking or jogging can be effective in treating depression.

• Learn how to relax using relaxation exercises and tapes

• Practice yoga, meditation or have a massage to help relieve tension and anxiety

• Join a self-help group and discuss your feelings

For more information please see the Depression Alliance
http://www.depressionalliance.org/index.html

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder (often called “manic depression”) is another common mental illness. It is characterised by periods of depression AND feelings of “mania”. We know, from the above, what depression is, but what’s “mania”?

Mania is characterised by any of the following: -

• Increased energy, restlessness, “racing thoughts” and rapid speech.

• Feelings of euphoria

• Decreased need for sleep

• Extreme irritability and distractibility

• Unrealistic belief in one’s abilities and poor judgement

• Increased libido.

There is also a “milder” form of mania called hypomania. Hypomania has similar symptoms to mania but they are milder. For example, a person may feel good about them selves, more optimistic than usual, more productive than usual and may still have racing thoughts or rapid speech. However, due to the milder symptoms it’s harder for hypomania to be noticed or picked up on by a medical professional. As it result it may remain undiagnosed.

There are several different kinds of bipolar disorder. These include

Bipolar I·

Can have recurrent episodes of major depression with at least one or two episodes of mania.

Bipolar II·

Recurrent feelings of depression and brief hippomanic episodes, with periods of stability. Elations are not as severe and are diagnosed as hypomania

Cyclothymia

Constant recurrent feelings of mild to moderate depression and hypomania. There is little to no stability or feelings of “normality” in between episodes.

Bipolar disorder can be triggered by a number of factors. Like depression, it can be triggered by a stressful live event. There is also a strong genetic link.
Men and women are equally affected by bipolar disorder and typical onset is in adolescence to early twenties (although it can occur as early as childhood and late as late middle-age).

It is a treatable condition, with some cases easier to treat than others. Treatments can include any of the following: -

• Mood stabilisers. These stabilise a person’s mood, alleviating both the mania/hypomania and depression. Lithium and Divalproex are the two most common mood stabilisers. However, it has been found that anti-seizure drugs, used in the treatment of epilepsy, can also act as mood stabilisers. The include Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Gabapentin and Topiramate.

• Anti-depressants. These can be used to alleviate depression. However, in someone with bipolar disorder, they trigger manic episodes. As a result, anti-depressants are only usually used in conjunction with a mood stabiliser.

• Anti-psychotic medication. Anti-psychotic medication can be used to treat any psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) that may occur during severe depressive and manic episodes. However, they can still bring other benefits, even in someone who has no psychosis. They can be used as sedatives, allowing the patient to sleep better and feel less anxious. Some antipsychotics, especially the newer atypical anti-psychotics such as quetiapine, have mood stabalising properties.

• Psychotherapy – Alongside counselling and CBT, covered in the section on depression, there are other kinds of therapies. These can include “interpersonal therapy”. This is particularly beneficial as it can work to lessen the strain an episode places on personal relationships. There is also “social rhythms therapy” and this0 focuses on restoring and manipulating personal and social daily routines to stabilise body rhythms, especially the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. It’s often when these daily routines are disturbed that an episode can occur.

I have tried to provide an overview of bipolar disorder and the treatment options. However, it’s a very complex disorder. For more information on treatments please see Bipolar Aware’s section: -

http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/treatment.html

For general information see Mind’s section on “Understanding Manic-depression”

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/B...depression.htm