Types of disability

• Disability definitions
• Disability and chronic illness: in depth
• How many people live with different types of disability?

Disability definitions

Here are some definitions about different types of disability, sourced from the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training. 

• Acquired brain injury

The effects of an acquired brain injury can be minor, occurring over a short period of time, or can be severe and lifelong. This may be caused by accidents, stroke, lack of oxygen and degenerative neurological disease.

This type of disability can affect cognitive, physical, emotional and sensory functioning. 

• Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong developmental disability characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours and sensory sensitivities.

• Developmental delay

Developmental delay occurs if a child develops at a slower pace when compared to other children of the same age. Indicators might be how they move, communicate, learn, understand or interact with other children.

• Intellectual disability

The term ‘intellectual disability' refers to a group of conditions caused by various genetic disorders and infections.

These conditions result in a limitation or slowness in an individual's general ability to learn and difficulties in communicating and retaining information.

As with all disability groups, there are many types of intellectual disability with varying degrees of severity.

• Physical disability

A number of conditions, some of which are permanent, others of a temporary or intermittent nature, may impair physical activity and mobility. These conditions include cerebral palsy, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease and repetitive strain injury (RSI).

• Psychiatric disability

Psychiatric disabilities may be transitory or of longer standing with symptoms ranging from mild and episodic to severe and ongoing.

There are wide ranges of psychiatric disabilities and these can impair a person's functioning in normal social activities. Conditions of a psychiatric nature could include schizophrenia, stress, psychosis and depression. 

• Sensory disability

Sensory disabilities affect how people interact with the world around them, the most common being hearing loss, vision impairment or speech impairment.

Disability and chronic illness: in depth

Disability Online has talked to Queenslanders about their experiences with living with disability and chronic illness.

You can find out more about the following disabilities and chronic illnesses:

• Spinal injuries
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Asperger's syndrome
• Acquired brain injury
• Type 2 diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis.

If you require help or assistance, you may also be interested in our content about:

• Finding out your child has a disability
• Support for adults
• Support for children and young people
• Support for families, carers and friends.

How many people live with different types of disability?

In 2008-09, there were 279,374 Australians with disability who used government and non-government funded services. Research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare about users of all CSTDA funded services during this year show the primary disability types of those who received funded services.

It's important to note that not all people with disability receive services from government or non-government funded organisations.

A person with a primary disability may also have secondary disabilities.

More information

You may also be interested in our pages about

• Disability terms—including definitions for terms, abbreviations and acronyms relating to disability that are in common use
• Disability statistics—including statistics about carers who support people with disability in Australia.