A physical disability is any condition that permanently prevents normal body movement and/or control. There are many different types of physical disabilities. Some of the main ones include:
Muscular dystrophies
When a child has muscular dystrophy, this means that the muscle fibers in the body gradually weaken over time. Children can have different types of muscular dystrophy. The most common type is Duchene Muscular Dystrophy which occurs only in boys. All types of muscular dystrophy are genetic even though other family members may not have the condition. There is more information on the Raising Children Network website Muscular dystrophy.
Physical Disabilities
Students may have physical disabilities arising from conditions such as congenital deformities, spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brittle bones, haemophilia, cystic fibrosis or severe accidental injury.
Physical characteristics may include
- Paralysis
- Altered muscle tone
- An unsteady gait
- Loss of, or inability to use, one or more limbs.
- Difficulty with gross-motor skills such as walking or running.
- Difficulty with fine-motor skills such as buttoning clothing or printing/writing.
- Skill development classes
- Career guidance etc.
- Basic education to underprivileged or orphan children.
- Education and training for the orthopedically, mentally, speech hearing and visually handicapped.