NDIS Educational Resources
NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE
Neuromuscular diseases are neurological diseases where the nerves that control body movements and relay sensory information are impaired. They can either be acquired or passed through genetics.
PHYSICAL DISABILITY
Physical disabilities impair an individual’s physical functioning, mobility and dexterity. This includes spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and epilepsy. It has been reported that physical disabilities are the major type of disability in Australia, representing 83.9% of the disabled population.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune condition primarily characterised by the loss of the nerve conducting sheath termed myelin surrounding cells (neurons) within the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. Over time, most individuals with MS experience a progressive loss of function both in their motor skills (ability to walk, balance, and coordinate movements) and non-motor functions (cognition, sensation, fatigue, mood regulation), with unique symptoms present in each individual it affects.
CEREBRAL PALSY
Cerebral palsy is a group of developmental disorders that impedes an individual’s ability to move, posture and muscle tone. This occurs due to damage to the brain while it is developing during pregnancy or early childhood. Globally 17 million people have cerebral palsy, with approximately 34,000 living in Australia.
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental condition which impacts on social skills and interactions, communication (verbal and non-verbal), repetitive patterns of behaviour and motor skills. The latest research has found that 1 in 70 Australians have ASD, with males 4 times more likely to have ASD than females.
DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Dementia is not classed as one specific disease, it is a group of conditions characterised by two of more impairments of the brain. It affects the brains ability to function through memory, cognition, behaviour and ability to perform daily tasks. Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians with an estimated 447, 115 Australians living with dementia is 2019. This number is expected to rise to 589,807 by 2028 and 1,076, 129 by 2058. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting up to 70% of those with dementia.
MENTAL HEALTH
Approximately 1/5 Australians experience some form of mental illness each year with 54% of those with a mental illness not having access to any form of treatment. Every day at least 6 Australians complete suicide and a further 30 Australians attempt suicide.