Disability group code N

Guide for use:

Code 1 Intellectual/learning

Intellectual/learning disability is associated with impairment of intellectual functions with limitations in a range of daily activities and restrictions in participation in a range of life areas. Supports may be needed throughout life; the level of support tends to be consistent over a period of time but may change in association with changes in life circumstances.

This grouping includes:

Developmental delay is applicable to children aged 0-5 only. Conditions appearing in the early developmental period, with no specific diagnosis.

Intellectual disability applies to conditions appearing in the developmental period (age 0–18) associated with impairment of mental functions, difficulties in learning and performing certain daily life skills and limitation of adaptive skills in the context of community environments compared to others of the same age. Includes Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, cri-du-chat syndrome etc.

Specific learning/Attention Deficit Disorder (other than intellectual). A general term referring to a group of disorders, presumed due to central nervous system dysfunction rather than an intellectual disability, covering significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical skills.

Autism (including Asperger syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Delay) is used to describe pervasive developmental disorder involving disturbances in cognition, interpersonal communication, social interactions and behaviour (in particular obsessional, ritualistic, stereotyped and rigid behaviours).

Code 2 Psychiatric

Psychiatric disability is associated with clinically recognisable symptoms and behaviour patterns frequently associated with distress that may impair personal functioning in normal social activity. Impairments of global or specific mental functions may be experienced, with associated activity limitations and participation restrictions in a range of areas. Supports needed may vary in range, and may be required with intermittent intensity during the course of the condition. Change in level of supports tends to be related to changes in the extent of the impairment and the environment. Psychiatric disability may be associated with schizophrenias, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addictive behaviours, personality disorders, stress, psychosis, depression and adjustment disorders.

Code 3 Sensory/speech

This grouping includes:

Deafblind is used to describe dual sensory impairments causing severe restrictions in communication, and in the ability to participate in community life.

Vision disability encompasses blindness and vision impairment (not corrected by glasses or contact lenses), which can cause severe restrictions in communication, and in the ability to participate in community life.

Hearing disability encompasses deafness, hearing impairment, hearing loss, which can cause severe restrictions in communication, and in the ability to participate in community life.

Speech disability encompasses speech loss, impairment and/or difficulty in communication which can cause severe restrictions in communication, and in the ability to participate in community life.

Code 4 Physical/diverse

Physical/diverse disability is associated with the presence of an impairment, which may have diverse effects within and among individuals, including effects on physical activities such as mobility. The range and extent of activity limitations and participation restrictions will vary with the extent of impairment and the environment. Environmental factors and support needs are related to areas of activity limitation and participation restrictions, and may be required for long periods. Level of supports may vary with both life changes and extent of impairment.

This grouping includes:

Physical disability is used to describe conditions that are attributable to a physical cause or impact on the ability to perform physical activities, such as mobility. Physical disability includes paraplegia, quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, absence or deformities of limbs, spina bifida, arthritis, back disorders, ataxia, bone formation or degeneration, scoliosis etc. Impairments may affect internal organs such as lung or liver.

Acquired brain injury is used to describe multiple disabilities arising from damage to the brain acquired after birth. It results in deterioration in cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning. It can be as a result of accidents, stroke, brain tumours, infection, poisoning, lack of oxygen, degenerative neurological disease etc.

Neurological disability applies to impairments of the nervous system occurring after birth, and includes epilepsy and organic dementias (e.g. Alzheimer disease) as well as such conditions as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease.

Context:
Human functioning and disability.

Origin:

Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement National Minimum Data Set 2002-2003 Data Guide.