Multiple Disability

“We the ones who are challenged, need to be heard.
To
Multiple Disability
be seen not as a disability, but as a person who has, and
will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a
handicap, but as a well intact human being”
- Robert M.
Hensel
Multiple Disability
Definition History Characteristics
Screening and
Diagnosis Assessment Prevalence
Multiple Cause
Disability
s
Problems , Challenges , and

Struggles
Finito Prepared by:
Jervyn E. Guianan Shasha Añonuevo
Multiple Disability is one of the disabilities that falls under the
13+1 disabilities of IDEA(Individuals with Disability
Education Act). Multiple disability, as defined by Individuals
with Disability Education Act (2010), is a concomitant
[simultaneous] impairments (such as intellectual disability-
blindness, intellectual disability. orthopedic impairment,
etc.), the combination of which causes such severe
educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in a
special education program solely for one of the impairments.
However, the term does not include deaf-blindness because
it is defined separately and is a disability category of its own
under IDEA, Hence, children with multiple disabilities will
have a combination of various disabilities that may include:
speech, physical mobility, learning, mental retardation,
visual, hearing, brain injury and possibly others (Sprayberry
Education Center (n.d.).
Furthermore, National Dissemination Center for Children with
Disabilities (2013) stated that people with severe disabilities
are those who traditionally have been labelled as having
severe to profound mental retardation. These people require
ongoing, extensive support in more than one major life
activity in order to participate in integrated community
settings and enjoy the quality of life available to people with
fewer or no disabilities. They frequently have additional
disabilities, including movement difficulties, sensory losses,
and behavior problems. Same as through with The
Association of Persons with Severe Handicap (1991), where
it was stated that persons with severe disabilities are:
"individuals of all ages who require extensive ongoing
support in more than one major life activity in order to
participate in integrated community settings and to enjoy a
quality of life that is available to citizens with fewer or no
Finally, multiple disability is often referred to as having "two
or more disabilities in the same person." In 1996, Fred
Orelove and Dick Sobsey defined this group as individuals
with mental retardation who require extensive or pervasive
supports and who also possess one or more significant motor
or sensory impairments and/or special health care needs.
These physical and medical problems result in the presence
of two or more of the following characteristics: restriction of
movement, skeletal deformities, sensory disorders, seizure
disorders, lung and breathing control, or other medical
problems related to these characteristics, such as 'skin
breakdown or bladder infections. Likewise, people with
severe, multiple disability (SMD) have a combination of two
or more impairments such as movement difficulties (e.g.,
cerebral palsy), intellectual disabilities, sensory losses (e.g.,
vision or hearing loss), and/or behavioral learning difficulties
History of Multiple Disability in France by Association des
paralyses de France (1996) In the 1950 and 1960's,
institutional pediatricians began to be aware of the number of
children suffering from encephalopathy's— also referred to
as "profoundly retarded"— who were not receiving any
particular medical attention or special purpose care. In
contrast, 'cerebrally-impaired' individuals with preserved
intellect were well known and treated cases, thanks to the
work of Professor Tardieu.
1965-1966: The 'Les Tout Petits' organization (Prof.

Minkovski) hosted some children tic*. in conditions that
were still very difficult at the time.
Foundation of Committee of Study and Care of the Profoundly
Retarded, which established consultation places, home
support mechanisms, as well as specialized institutions
(1968-1970-1974) and organized the first information session
on multiple disabilities in January 1972.
1972-1973: Professor Fontan proposed the term 'polyhandicap'

(severe congenital multiple disabilities); Prof. Clement
Launay, CESAP's president, emphasized the pluridisciplinary
management strategy required by these multiple disabilities.
1975: framework law in support of persons with disabilities
and Law on Social and Medical Institutions. The term
'polyhandicap' [multiple disabilities] did not figure in the
legislation, but the Section 46 of the framework law provided
for Specialized Housing for adults 'without a minimum level
of independence'.
1984: The National Center for Disability Studies and Research
created a disability 010 studies group that provided updates
on the status of the three major groups of ed associated
disabilities:
• 'Polyhandicap': severe disability with multiple

manifestations, excessive limitation of independence and
profound mental retardation; prevalence rate of 2 out of
1,000.
• 'Plurihandicap': situational combination of one or several

disabilities with intact intellectual function; prevalence rate
of 0.5 out of 1,000.
•'S.urhandicape: 'overcharge' of behavior disorders in pre-

existing severe disabilities; prevalence rate of 3 out of 1,000.
1986: Departmental circular about children with associated
disabilities.
1984: Severe disabilities with multiple manifestations, motor

impairments, and severe capacity of perception, expression
andation. relation. or profound mental retardation leading to
excessive limitations in independence and
1996: Fred Orelove and Dick Sobsey defined this group as

individuals with mental retardation who require extensive or
pervasive supports and who also possess one or more
significant motor or sensory impairments and/or special
health care needs.
According to Center for Parent Information and Resources
(2013), people with severe or multiple disabilities may
exhibit a wide range of characteristics, depending on the
combination and severity of disabilities, and the person’s age.
There are, however, some traits they may share, including:
➢
➢ Psychological
Behavioral
•• May Mayfeeldisplay
ostracized.
an immature behavior inconsistent with
• Tendency to withdraw
chronological age. from society.
•• Students with multiple
May exhibit disabilities
an impulsive may become
behavior and low frustration
upset
level.in the face of forced or unexpected changes.
•• May
Mayexecute self-injurious
have difficulty behavior.
forming interpersonal relationships.
• fearful,
May angry,
have andlimited self-care skills and independent
community living skills
➢ Physical/health
• A variety of medical problems may accompany severe
disabilities. Examples include seizures, sensory loss,
hydrocephalus, and scoliosis.
• May be physically clumsy and awkward.
• May be unsuccessful in games involving motor skills
• Limited speech or communication;
• Difficulty in basic physical mobility;
•Tendency to forget skills through disuse;
• Trouble generalizing skills from one situation to another;
and/or
• A need for support in major life activities (e.g., domestic,
leisure, community use, vocational).

Multiple Disability

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Multiple Disability

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“We the ones who are challenged, need to be heard.

Problems , Challenges , and

1965-1966: The 'Les Tout Petits' organization (Prof.

1972-1973: Professor Fontan proposed the term 'polyhandicap'

• 'Polyhandicap': severe disability with multiple

• 'Plurihandicap': situational combination of one or several

•'S.urhandicape: 'overcharge' of behavior disorders in pre-

1984: Severe disabilities with multiple manifestations, motor

1996: Fred Orelove and Dick Sobsey defined this group as

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