Multiple Disabilities

Definition
According to (IDEA), multiple disabilities refers to
concomitant [simultaneous] impairments (such as
intellectual disability-blindness, intellectual
disability-orthopedic impairment, etc.), the
combination of which causes such severe
educational needs that they cannot be
accommodated in a special education program
solely for one of the impairments. The term does
not include deaf-blindness.

Causes
With some children, however, the cause is unknown. Other
causes can include:
Chromosomal abnormalities
Premature birth
Difficulties after birth
Poor development of the brain or spinal cord
Infections
Genetic disorders
Injuries from accidents

Characteristics
People with multiple disabilities have a
combination of various disabilities that
may include: speech, physical mobility,
learning, mental retardation, visual,
hearing, brain injury and possibly others.
They may also have sensory losses and
behavior and /or social problems.

Characteristics
Children with multiple disabilities will typically
share deficits in five distinct areas of
development:
intellectual functioning
adaptive skills
motor skills
sensory functioning
communication skills

Supporting Children with Multiple Disabilities

Support in major life activities
Major life activities include activities such as:

caring for oneself

performing manual tasks
seeing, hearing, eating,
and sleeping
walking, standing, lifting,
and bending
speaking and
communicating

Breathing
Learning
Reading
concentrating and
thinking
working

Tips for Parents

Learn about each of your childs disabilities.
Love and play with your child.
Know your childs needs, play to his or her
strengths.
Dont let the labels get you down.
Encourage your child to be independent.
Team with the professionals working with your
child.

Tips for Parents

Investigate assistive technology (AT).

Practice and reinforce.
Give your child chores.
Find out what your child is learning at school.
Look for social opportunities
Talk with other parents whose children have
disabilities
Be patient, be hopeful.

Tips for Teachers

Know the needs, play to the strengths.

Be familiar with the students IEP.
Make modifications.
Let the IEP team know what program supports
or modifications you need.
Allow partial participation, as necessary.
Consider assistive technology (AT).
Does the student need textbooks in another
format?

Tips for Teachers

Practice and reinforce.

Support related services in the classroom.
Address behavior issues.
A paraprofessional in your classroom?
Encourage the students independence.

When the time comes, support transition

planning.