An individual with a disability is defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. ADA does not specifically list each disability but here is a general understanding about some common conditions. Visit BYUH Disability Services for more details at https://disability.byuh.edu.
Danger of self diagnosis Given the ease of accessing information online these days, it is tempting to diagnose your own symptoms and avoid seeking professional assistance. The following definitions are not intended for self-diagnosis nor are they an exhaustive list of all the symptoms in each category. Self-diagnosis can be remarkably dangerous because you may miss symptoms and early signs of warning that are not always apparent. It is therefore important to discuss any mental, physical, or emotional concerns you may have with a healthcare professional rather than a friend. Even if your friend has all the right intentions and is genuinely interested in helping you, he or she may not be able to provide you with the timely treatment you need. The BYUH Counseling and Disability Services office have trained clinicians who are ready to listen to you and direct you accordingly. If you assume any of the following symptoms may be affecting you or if you know someone who may need assistance, please visit the Counseling and Disability Office website for further information at https://counseling.byuh.edu.
Autism A disorder characterized in varying degrees by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Deafness A hearing impairment so severe that an individual is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.
Traumatic Brain Injury An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.
Intellectual Disability A significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently [at the same time] with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period. (In February 2011: “Intellectual Disability” replaced the term “Mental Retardation” as a result of Rosa’s Law.)
Orthopedic Impairment A severe orthopedic impairment that includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
Specific Learning Disability A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; of intellectual disability; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.
Emotional/ Behavioral Disorder A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree:
(a) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
(b) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships.
(c) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
(d) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
(e) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears. The term includes schizophrenia but does not apply to people who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.
Speech or Language Impairment A communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment.
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, has symptoms presenting in two or more settings (e.g. at home, school, or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities), and negatively impacts directly on social, academic or occupational functioning.
Other Health Impairment A condition whereby the person has limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness: (a) Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome.
Major Depressive Disorder • Depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities for more than two weeks.
• Mood represents a change from the person’s baseline. • Impaired function: social, occupational, educational.
• Specific symptoms, at least 5 of these 9, present nearly every day:
1.Depressed mood or irritable most of the day, nearly everyday, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).
2.Decreased interest or pleasure in most activities, most of each day
3.Significant weight change (5%) or change in appetite
4.Change in sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia
5.Change in activity: Psychomotor agitation or retardation
6.Fatigue or loss of energy
7.Guilt/worthlessness: Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
8.Concentration: Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or more indecisiveness
9.Suicidality: Thoughts of death or suicide, or has suicide plan Anxiety symptoms that may indicate depression: Irrational worry, preoccupation with unpleasant worries, trouble relaxing, feeling tense, fear that something awful might happen.
If you have any questions, contact BYUH Disability Services at: McKay 181, (808) 675-3518, leilani.auna@byuh.edu
Writer: Barbara Hong