Special Needs Class

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Someone with ADHD has differences in brain development and activity that affects their ability to maintain full focus, sit still and maintain self-control. ADHD can affect anyone in various situations they might encounter.

ADD – Attention deficit disorder is a neurological disorder that causes a range of behavior problems such as difficulty attending to instruction, focusing, keeping up with tasks, following instructions, completing tasks and social interaction

Asperger syndrome: An autistic disorder most notable for the often great discrepancy between the intellectual and social abilities of those who have it. Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by an inability to understand how to interact socially.

Autism spectrum disorder impacts the nervous system. The range and severity of symptoms can vary widely. Common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors. Early recognition, as well as behavioral, educational and family therapies may reduce symptoms and support development and learning.

Also called: trisomy 21 A genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays. Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. Down’s syndrome causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability and developmental delays. It may be associated with thyroid or heart disease. Early intervention programs with a team of therapists and special educators who can treat each child’s specific situation are helpful in managing Down’s syndrome.

Dyslexia occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence. Symptoms include late talking, learning new words slowly and a delay in learning to read. Most children with dyslexia can succeed in school with tutoring or a specialized education program.

Brain dysfunction caused by an outside force, usually a violent blow to the head. Critical: needs emergency care Traumatic brain injury often occurs as a result of a severe sports injury or car accident. Immediate or delayed symptoms may include confusion, blurry vision and difficulty concentrating. Infants may cry persistently or be irritable. Treatment may involve rest, medication and surgery.

An inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo (spinning). Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong Ménière’s disease usually starts in one ear, but later may involve both. Smoking, infections or a high-salt diet may worsen the disease. Symptoms include a spinning sensation (vertigo), hearing loss, ear ringing (tinnitus) and ear pressure. The vertigo may cause severe nausea and imbalance. Hearing loss may become permanent. Drugs for motion sickness or nausea may help manage symptoms.

A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured Brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions. Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms. No cure exists, but medication and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms.

A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include stress that’s out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry and restlessness. Treatment includes counselling or medication, including antidepressants.

A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role. Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep and loss of touch with reality. Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy.

A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. Increasingly, research suggests that these factors may cause changes in brain function, including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain. The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms. These may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide. The mainstay of treatment is usually medication, talk therapy or a combination of the two. Increasingly, research suggests that these treatments may normalize brain changes associated with depression.

Learning disabilities are neurologically-based processing problems. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.

Memory loss (amnesia) is unusual forgetfulness. You may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both. The memory loss may be for a short time and then resolve (transient). Or, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time.

Excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors. OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life. Treatment includes talk therapy, medication or both.

A disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly. The exact cause of schizophrenia isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain chemistry and structure may play a role. Schizophrenia is characterized by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganized speech or behavior and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficulty with concentration and memory may also be present. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated speciality care services.

A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture. Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth. Symptoms include exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs and involuntary motions. These appear by early childhood. Long-term treatment includes physical and other therapies, drugs and sometimes surgery.

A disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong In MS, resulting nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity and duration can vary from person to person. Some people may be symptom free for most of their lives, while others can have severe, chronic symptoms that never go away. Physiotherapy and medication that suppress the immune system can help with symptoms, and slow disease progression.

A group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophies, abnormal genes (mutations) lead to muscle degeneration. Most forms begin in childhood. Damaged muscles become progressively weaker. Most people who have the condition eventually need a wheelchair. Other symptoms include trouble breathing or swallowing. Medication, therapy, breathing aids or surgery may help maintain function, but life span is often shortened.

Paralysis is a loss of muscle function in part of your body. It can be localized or generalized, partial or complete, and temporary or permanent. Paralysis can affect any part of your body at any time in your life. If you experience it, you probably won’t feel pain in the affected areas.

A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors. Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s often starts with a tremor in one hand. Other symptoms are slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance. Medication can help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures).

Eye Diseases that Can Cause Legal Blindness Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Legal blindness can be caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because this disease affects the central vision provided by the macula (the specialized central part of the retina). Retinitis Pigmentosa. Diabetic Retinopathy. Glaucoma. Cataract.