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Multiple Disabilities


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A child with multiple disabilities has more than one diagnosis, in this case a visual impairment and at least one other disabling condition. Multiple disabilities vary greatly in their range and severity. Depending on your child's abilities and needs, you may find helpful articles here on many topics, including communication, socialization, orientation and mobility, and transition, to name a few. Be sure to browse other areas of FamilyConnect also. No matter what age your child is, you may find articles in the Infants and Toddlers, Preschoolers, or Grade Schoolers areas that have relevant information for you, your child, and your family.

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 		Mom, son, and grandmother smiling. Son is in a wheelchair.
Common Types of Disabilities
Many conditions tend to occur together with visual impairment, even though they may not have been the cause of the visual impairment itself—physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, deaf-blindness, emotional or behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and others.
Family and Social Life
Family time is important, but it's also a balancing act that can be challenging at times—to make sure you and your family get the time everyone needs and that each person feels included and valued in the family.
Hot Topics
Communication
Communication, being able to express oneself and participating in the give and take of conversation, is an important area of development for children with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. All children are communicators from the moment they make a face, smile, utter their first cry, or gurgle with pleasure. It is never too early to begin exploring ways in which you can support your child's development of communication.
Learning
We're all life-long learners, but for your child who has a visual impairment and additional disabilities, the ways in which she learns and the amount of time it takes her to learn may be different from other children her age. In this section you'll find articles about ways in which you can support your child's learning, use routines as learning tools, and encourage the development of her literacy skills.
Independent Living Skills
Learning independent living skills can be a challenge for many children who have multiple disabilities including a visual impairment. Your child's educational team will have important information and suggestions for how you can work together on specific goals, but this area should help you support your child in learning how to eat independently, potty train, bathe, dress, and develop orientation and mobility skills.
The Future Starts Now
Parents in general have mixed feelings when they think about their children growing up and becoming adults. But when their children have disabilities, those feelings can frequently include very serious concerns about the future. This section provides some help and guidance.