What is multiple disabilities?

Early brain injuries may affect several areas in the brain and result in a combination of different disabilities. This is called multiple disabilities which is a generic term even though the variation of disabilities is very individual. For example it can be a combination of movement disabilities, learning challenges, developmental disorders and visual- or hearing impairment. Sometimes autism, epilepsy, attention disorders or perceptual problems, scoliosis, sleeping problems and pain also includes in the multiple disabilities.

Every child has its own combination of abilities, prerequisites and specific challenges. It is very important to have an extra responsiveness to everyone’s individual needs and to get to know the child to be able to frame the best combination of support.

In most cases people with multiple disabilities use alternative ways to communicate – the so called AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).