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Unit 5: Identification, Causes, Problems of Physically Challenged

damage to the brain learning to neurological disorders. Polio, Burns and injuries are significant causes Notes
as per NSSO, 1991 of Indian society.
The causative factors of handicaps are many. But a thorough knowledge of some main causative
factors is necessary for planning a programme for them. The sole factors are as follows:
Hereditary Cause: This anomaly passes down from generation to generation because of some sort of
disturbance in the working of inherent gene mechanism. However, may be noted that a particular
condition may be hereditary and yet it may not manifest itself at birth or might not have appeared
before the individual's immediate family.
Congenital Causes: Congenital defects are those that are present at birth. Common congenital defects
include club foot, dislocation of hip, missing bones, bow leg, webbed fingers etc. These defects are
possible due to infection, nutritional deficiency, x-rays, glandular disorder of the mother, maternal
malnourishment etc.
Acquired Causes: Acquired defects include birth injury, accident, nutrition deficiency, defective bones
or joints, viral infection, etc.
Loss of Limbs of Digits (Amputation or Congenital: This may be due to trauma (e.g., explosions,
mangling in a machine, severance, burns) or surgery (due to cancer, peripheral arterial disease,
diabetes).
Parkinson's Disease: This is a progressive disease of older adults characterized by muscle rigidity,
slowness of movements, and a unique type of tremor. There is no actual paralysis. The usual age of
onset is 50 to 70, and the disease is relatively common-187 cases per 10,00,000.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis is defined as a progressive disease of the central nervous
system characterized by the destruction of the insulating material covering never fibers. The problems
these individuals experience include poor muscle control, weakness and fatigue, difficulty in walking,
talking, seeing, sensing or grasping objects, and intolerance of heat.
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease): ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a fatal degenerative disease of
the central nervous system characterized by slowly progressive paralysis of the voluntary muscles.
The major symptom is progressive muscle weakness involving the limbs, trunk, breathing muscles,
throat and tongue, leading to partial paralysis and severe speech difficulties.
Muscular Dystrophy (MD): Muscular dystrophy is a group of hereditary diseases causing progressive
muscular weakness, loss of muscular control, contractions and difficulty in walking, breathing,
reaching, and use of hands involving strength.
Skeletal impairments include joint movement limitations (either mechanical or due to pain), small
limbs, missing limbs, or abnormal trunk size.
Some minor causes of these impairments are:
Arthritis: Arthritis is defined as pain in joints, usually reducing range of motion and causing weakness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome. Osteoarthritis is degenerative joint diseases.
Cerebral Palsy (CP): Cerebral palsy is defined as damage to the motor areas of the brain prior to
brain maturity (most cases of CP occur before, during or shortly following birth). Some causes of
cerebral palsy are high temperature, lack of oxygen, and injury to the head. The most common types
are:
(1) Spastic, where the individual moves stiffly and with difficulty,
(2) Ataxic, characterized by a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception, and
Athetoid, characterized by involuntary, uncontrolled motion. Most cases are combinations of the
three types:
Spinal Cord Injury: Spinal cord injury can result in paralysis or paresis (weakening). The extent of
paralysis/paresis and the parts of the body affected are determined by how high or low on the spine
the damage occurs and the type of damage to the cord. Quadriplegia involves all four limbs and is

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