Overview Of Disability Studies

Learning Disabilities - Definition

Learning disabilities are neurological disorders affecting the brain's ability to process and use information. They impact skills like reading, writing, math, and language, and are not related to intelligence. Individuals often have average or above-average intelligence.

Learning Disabilities - Early Childhood Manifestation

In early childhood (ELC), learning disabilities can show up differently in each child. Specific signs vary depending on the type of learning disability.

Common Types of Learning Disabilities in Early Childhood

Includes Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Language Processing Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, Visual Processing Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia

A learning disability that primarily affects reading abilities. It can cause difficulties with phonological awareness, decoding, and spelling.

Dysgraphia

A learning disability that affects writing abilities. It can cause difficulties with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper.

Dyscalculia

A learning disability that affects math abilities. It can cause difficulties with number sense, math facts, and calculations.

Language Processing Disorder

A learning disability that affects the ability to understand and use spoken language. It can cause difficulties with comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.

Auditory Processing Disorder

A learning disability that affects the ability to process and understand auditory information. It can cause difficulties with sound discrimination, auditory memory and following spoken directions.

Visual Processing Disorder

A learning disability that affects the ability to process and understand visual information. It can cause difficulties with visual discrimination, visual memory and spatial relations.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

Characterized by difficulties interpreting nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions. Also can cause difficulty with visual spatial skills and adapting to new situations.

Manifestations of learning disabilities in early childhood

Can include delayed speech, difficulty recognizing letters or rhyming, challenges in learning numbers, struggles with fine motor skills, difficulty following instructions, problems with memory, poor focus, social difficulties and frustration towards learning.

Delayed Speech and Language Development

Slower than expected progress in acquiring language skills, such as speaking, understanding, and using words and sentences.

Difficulty with Basic Reading Skills

Struggles with recognizing letters, sounding out words, or understanding the meaning of written text and rhyming.

Challenges in Learning Numbers and Math Concepts

Difficulties in understanding number concepts, counting, solving math problems, or grasping mathematical principles.

Struggles with Fine Motor Skills

Difficulties with tasks that require small muscle movements, such as writing, cutting with scissors, drawing, or manipulating small objects.

Difficulty Following Instructions

Challenges in understanding spoken directions, remembering multi-step instructions, or executing tasks as directed.

Problems with Memory

Difficulties in retaining and recalling information, both in the short term (working memory) and the long term (long-term memory).

Poor Attention and Focus

Challenges in sustaining attention on learning activities, staying on task and difficulties with concentration.

Social Difficulties

Trouble understanding social cues, interacting with peers, forming relationships, or navigating social situations appropriately.

Frustration Towards Learning

Expressing discontent, resistance, or negative attitudes towards academic tasks or educational settings due to repeated challenges.

Physical Disabilities - Definition

Physical disabilities are conditions or impairments that affect a child's physical abilities, mobility, or coordination, potentially impacting daily functioning and participation.

Physical Disabilities - Early Childhood Manifestation

In an early childhood (ELC) setting, physical disabilities can appear as mobility challenges, motor coordination difficulties, balance and posture issues, limited range of motion, muscle weakness, sensory impairments, fatigue and/or medical needs.

Mobility Challenges

Difficulties in moving around independently, such as walking, running, or navigating the environment.

Motor Coordination Difficulties

Challenges in coordinating movements smoothly, such as reaching, grasping, throwing, or catching.

Balance and Posture Issues

Difficulties in maintaining balance and proper posture, leading to instability or difficulty sitting or standing upright.

Limited Range of Motion

Restricted movement in one or more joints, limiting the ability to perform certain actions or tasks.

Muscle Weakness

Reduced strength or fatigue in certain muscle groups, affecting the ability to perform physical activities.

Sensory Impairments

Impairments affecting vision, hearing, or other senses, impacting the ability to perceive and respond to sensory information.

Fatigue

Persistent tiredness or lack of energy, impacting the ability to engage in activities for extended periods.

Medical Needs

Specific medical conditions that require ongoing monitoring, treatment, or accommodations in the ELC setting.

Physical Disabilities - Support in ELC Setting

In an inclusive ELC setting, teachers and caregivers support children with physical disabilities, ensuring full participation in the learning environment.

Sensory Impairments - Definition

Sensory impairments involve visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or proprioceptive deficits, each requiring specific support strategies in an ELC setting.

Visual Impairments - Manifestation

May manifest as difficulty seeing distant objects, challenges with depth perception, sensitivity to light, or trouble with visual tracking.

Auditory Impairments - Manifestation

May present as difficulty understanding spoken language, challenges with sound localization, or sensitivity to loud noises.

Tactile Impairments - Manifestation

May involve difficulties with touch discrimination, sensitivity to textures, or challenges with fine motor tasks involving touch.

Gustatory Impairments - Manifestation

May relate to a reduced or altered sense of taste, impacting food preferences and eating habits.

Proprioceptive Impairments - Manifestation

May present as difficulties with body awareness, coordination, and spatial orientation, affecting movement and balance.

Sensory Impairments - ELC Support

Create an inclusive environment, collaborate with parents and specialists to tailor interventions, and continuously observe and adjust strategies to support the child's progress.

Communication Disorders - Definition

Communication disorders impact a child's ability to understand, express, and engage in communication with others effectively in an ELC setting.

Common Communication Disorders in ELC

Include Speech Sound Disorders, Language Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Social Communication Disorders, Pragmatic Language Disorders, Selective Mutism and Voice Disorders.

Speech Sound Disorders

Difficulties producing speech sounds correctly, affecting speech intelligibility.

Language Disorders

Impairments in understanding or using spoken, written, or signed language.

Fluency Disorders

Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as stuttering or cluttering.

Social Communication Disorders

Difficulties using communication appropriately in social contexts, such as understanding social rules and cues.

Pragmatic Language Disorders

Challenges in using language for social purposes, such as initiating conversations or understanding non-literal language.

Selective Mutism

Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations despite being able to speak in other situations.

Voice Disorders

Abnormalities in voice quality, pitch, or loudness, affecting vocal communication.

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)

All the ways someone communicates other than talking. Used by individuals with speech or language difficulties. Augmentative adds to speech, while alternative replaces it. Can include no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech options.

No-Tech and Low-Tech AAC Options

Include gestures, facial expressions, body language, writing, drawing, spelling words by pointing to letters, and pointing to photos, pictures, or written words.

High-Tech AAC Options

Include using an app on an iPad or tablet to communicate and using a computer with a “voice,” sometimes called a speech-generating device.

Neuro Diverse Disorders - Definition

Neurodiverse disorders include conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Manifestations and support needed vary for each child in an ELC setting.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)

A group of disorders that affect a child's ability to acquire and use skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, listening, speaking, or reasoning.

Intellectual Disabilities

A disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills.

Sensory Processing Disorders

A condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.

Neuro Diverse Disorders - ELC Support

Early identification and collaboration are essential. Focus on strengths, provide tailored support, and celebrate progress to create a supportive environment where every child can thrive.

Emotional and Behavioural Disorders - Definition

In ELC settings, these disorders can involve challenging behaviors, emotional outbursts, and social difficulties, including conditions like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Anxiety Disorders.

Strategies to Help Children with EBD Disorders

Create a positive environment, implement behavior management techniques, offer social skills training, provide individualized support, teach emotional regulation strategies, collaborate with specialists and maintain a consistent routine.

Create a Positive and Supportive Environment

Foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere where children feel valued, respected, and supported in their emotional and behavioral needs.

Implement Behavior Management Techniques

Use strategies such as positive reinforcement, redirection, and consistent limit-setting to address challenging behaviors effectively while promoting self-control.

Social Skills Training

Provide opportunities for children to learn and practice essential social skills, such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution.

Individualised Support

Tailor interventions and accommodations to meet each individual child's unique emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.

Emotional Regulation Strategies

Teach children techniques to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions, such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, and problem-solving strategies.

Collaboration with Specialists

Work closely with psychologists, counselors, and other specialists to develop and implement effective intervention plans and strategies for children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.

Consistent Routine and Predictability

Establish clear routines and schedules to provide children with a sense of stability, security, and predictability, reducing anxiety and promoting positive behavior.

Focus on Strengths and Interests

Identify and nurture children's talents and interests to build self-esteem, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment.

Encourage Parent Involvement

Involve parents in the child's treatment process, providing them with education, support, and strategies to reinforce positive behavior and emotional well-being at home.

Intellectual Disabilities - Definition

Intellectual disabilities (IDD) are conditions with limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, varying in severity and impacting cognitive, social, and adaptive skills.

Common Types of Intellectual Disabilities

Include General Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Smith-Magenis Syndrome and Prader-Labhart-Willi Syndrome.

Intellectual Disabilities - Causes

Results from genetic, environmental, and unknown factors, with the severity of the disability varying. Early intervention improves quality of life.

Genetic Factors - Definition

Conditions caused by abnormalities or mutations in genes or chromosomes, inherited from parents or occurring spontaneously, affecting body functioning.

Symptoms of Intellectual Disability

Typically surface in early childhood, and can include difficulty speaking, delayed motor skills, trouble following instruction, struggling to develop social skills and seizures.

Difficulty Speaking

Challenges in articulating words clearly, which may affect communication and social interactions.

Delayed Motor Skills

Slower development in physical abilities such as crawling, walking, or coordination compared to peers.

Trouble Following Instructions

Difficulty understanding or remembering simple directions, which can impact learning and daily activities.

Struggling to Develop Social Skills

Challenges in interacting with others, making friends, or understanding social cues.

Seizures

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause changes in behaviour or consciousness.

Temper Tantrums

Emotional outbursts often characterised by crying, screaming or aggressive behaviour.

Aggressive Behaviour

Actions that can cause harm or discomfort to others, such as hitting, biting or yelling.

Struggling to Remember Things

Difficulty retaining information, which can affect learning and daily functioning.

Difficulty Problem Solving

Challenges in finding solutions to everyday problems or making decisions.

Difficulty Expressing Emotions

Struggles in communicating feelings, which can lead to frustration or misunderstandings.

Personal Care Challenges

Inability to perform self-care tasks like dressing or bathing independently.

Medical Conditions - Definition

In an ELC setting, some medical conditions in children may require additional supports to ensure their safety, well-being, and successful participation in activities. It is not uncommon for additional medical conditions to present in a child with other disabilities or a child may just have one medical condition that requires monitoring but does not affect them greatly otherwise.

Medical Conditions Requiring Support

Include asthma, eczema, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy, each needing specific care in an ELC setting.

Asthma - Definition

A chronic respiratory condition where children may require access to quick-relief medications and assistance during asthma attacks.

Asthma - Additional Support

ELC staff should be familiar with each child's asthma action plan, know how to use inhalers or nebulisers and know where they are kept in the setting. They should be aware of environmental triggers.

Eczema - Definition

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition with inflammation, redness, itching, and dryness, particularly common in infants and young children.

Eczema - Causes

Eczema's exact cause is unknown but involves genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Triggers include irritants, allergens, temperature changes, and stress.

Allergies - Definition

Allergies are hypersensitive immune responses to harmless substances (allergens), varying in severity and affecting people of all ages. Common allergens includes pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, insect stings and Medications.

Pollen Allergy

Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can trigger seasonal allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Dust Mites Allergy

Tiny insects found in house dust that can cause year-round allergies.

Pet Dander Allergy

Proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of animals, particularly cats and dogs, can lead to pet allergies.

Mould Allergy

Mould spores, commonly found in damp environments, can trigger allergies.

Insect Stings Allergy

Venom from bees or wasps can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Food Allergens

Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

Medication Allergy

Some medications, such as penicillin or aspirin, can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.

Latex Allergy

Latex, found in rubber products, can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Allergies - ELC Support

ELC settings need special attention and care to avoid exposure to allergens and to treat allergic reactions. Obtain current medical information and develop a health care plan, store adrenaline injectors or EpiPens and action plans in an unlocked location, ensure regular staff training in recognising and treating anaphylaxis, ask about allergies when parents enroll their child and work with parents to create a plan of action in case of an allergic reaction