Caring for individuals with additional needs:
LO1: Know reasons why individuals may experience additional needs
P1: Outline reasons why individuals may experience additional needs:
Types of additional needs:
There are four categories of additional needs; these are physical, sensory,
developmental and cognitive. A physical additional need is a physical disability that
affects the way the individual’s quality of life as it impairs and limits their physical
functioning, mobility and stamina. An example of a physical additional need is
cerebral palsy. A sensory additional need is an impairment to the individual’s senses;
these are usually more hidden than physical needs and can cause the individual to
feel stressed. An example of a sensory impairment is loss of smell. A developmental
additional need is a need that is caused by damage to the brain or central nervous
system either before or after birth, learning disabilities are included in this however,
they do not always have a known cause, developmental additional needs are often
also influenced by environmental factors. An example of a developmental additional
need is autism; it is an additional need where the brains development was influenced
by environmental factors. A cognitive additional need is when the individual has
limitations in mental functioning. An example of a cognitive additional need is
memory loss; this is when the individual has a difficult time remembering past and
new events.
Reasons for additional needs:
There are many different reasons as to why someone may have physical, sensory or
learning (cognitive and developmental) impairments. The impairments can be
caused by a variety of reasons such as genetics and can affect the individual’s
senses, body functions and mobility. Some genetic additional needs include cystic
fibrosis and sickle cell disease. Those who do have a disability or impairment often
prefer to be treated the same as those who do not as when they are they can feel as
though they are less worthy than everyone else and it can lower their self-esteem.
Disabilities and impairments can vary on how severe they are, they can be
influenced by environmental factors such as air and water pollution, accidents,
disease-related causes or birth injury.
Cystic fibrosis:
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs,
digestive system and other organs in the body. CF affects the cells in the body that
produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. It is caused by a defect in a gene, it
changes the protein that controls the movement of salt within cells. In someone
without cystic fibrosis, these fluids are thin and slippery but in someone with cystic
,fibrosis, they are sticky and thick so instead of acting as a lubricant it causes the
individuals tubes, ducts and passageways such as the lungs and pancreas to
become blocked. CF is progressive and requires daily treatment, most of the time it
does not stop people from going to work or school. A child’s parents both need to
have one copy of the gene for the child to have CF. Genetic testing can be done on
unborn children or on both intending parents if family members have CF, to show the
chances of having a baby with CF, if the test shows that an unborn child may be at
risk of developing CF, further tests can be done. If the child does not develop cystic
fibrosis, they could still be a carrier of the gene and pass it to their own children. Air
pollution can also cause an increased risk of a decrease in lung function in people
who have CF.
Sickle cell disease:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the name that covers the inherited health conditions that
affect the red blood cells. It is a disease where haemoglobin is not made properly
and clumps together when carried throughout the body. Sickle cell disease can
develop into a more serious condition called sickle cell anaemia. It can be inherited
by both parents carrying a sickle cell disease from both parents, or if a parent
already has sickle cell disease and the other parent is a carrier. Blood tests will show
if you are a carrier, if pregnancy is involved, routine blood tests are done throughout
and after birth. In England when babies are born, routine screening is carried out; it
is commonly known as the heel prick test, this will identify if the baby has the SCD
trait or if they have the disease. The main symptoms are frequent infections,
anaemia and painful episodes. Many children who have SCD have few or no
symptoms if their treatment is offered and started early on. The painful episodes
happen because of the blood vessels to part of the body becoming blocked, they
usually affect particular parts of the body such as spine, stomach, hands or feet.
People with SCD are more vulnerable to infections especially when they are young,
the infections can be anything from a mild cold to something potentially life
threatening such as sepsis. Vaccinations and daily antibiotics can help reduce the
risk of infections. Nearly everyone with SCD experiences anaemia; this is where the
haemoglobin in the blood is low. The haemoglobin is used to transport the oxygen
around the body. It does not usually have many effects or symptoms but with the
parvovirus, it can become worse. It can be treated with a blood transfusion. These
symptoms can be treated with over the counter painkillers. SCD can also cause
other problems such as delayed growth, bone and joint pain or strokes. Every person
with the disease needs an individual care plan that takes into account all needs and
health concerns. The environment can influence the main symptoms to flare up, for
example swimming in cold water restricts the blood vessels causing a painful
episode.
P2: Describe models of disability:
, There are two models of disability, the social model and the medical model. They
both have different views of disability in society. Below is a table explaining each
models view.
Medical model Social model
Who favours this model? Medical and social care Impaired/disabled people
‘experts’ and advocacy groups
Where is the problem The disability is an Whilst a medical
located? individual medical restriction is
problem which prevents acknowledged, external
or restricts activity factors tend to disable
How should disability be By providing services to By making society more
tackled? meet peoples additional user friendly, which
needs and care for them people would benefit a
wide range of people
(e.g., parents with
pushchairs)
Types of services Caring services that take Advocacy services which
favoured charge and protect argue for the full
disabled people integration of impaired
people into society
Fisher, A. Health and Social Care Applied AS, 2006, p173.
Medical model of disability:
The medical model of disability is viewing disability as a problem; this perspective
says people are disabled because of physical or cognitive impairments. These
impairments stop them from functioning like the rest of the society who are seen as
normal. This model is demonstrated in the definitions of disability, impairment and
handicap. Disability means being prevented by an impairment from taking part in
normal activities for example, not understanding measurements because of
dyscalculia. Impairment means a part of the body that is missing or not working
properly for example, an amputated arm. Handicap is when the individual is
disadvantaged by the impairment or disability for example, not being able to work in
construction because of dyscalculia. The medical solution to attempt to convert them
back into society is to medically intervene to cure them of their impairments; this then
becomes the responsibility of the medical and associated professionals such as
doctors or social workers all of whom are usually non-disabled. The medical view
sees disability as an individual problem and therefore looks at the individual’s
personal limitations. A disadvantage of this view is that if the individual cannot be
cured, or successfully converted then they are seen to not be able to play a full role
as a member of society, this can have them seen as devalued. Society’s attitudes
have intended to follow the medical model.
Social model of disability:
The social model of disability views disability to relate more to the attitudes and
design of society where impaired people are stopped from performing normally
