Classification and Understanding

A Possible Taxonomy of Disability

A guide to understanding the different types of disabilities
Comprehensive classification system to navigate the world of disability

Understanding Disability

Disability is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that requires an articulated understanding to ensure adequate and personalized services.

This taxonomy has been developed for Disability Hub with the aim of:

  • Facilitating the search for specific services for each type
  • Helping families better understand disability characteristics
  • Enabling service providers to offer targeted solutions
  • Creating a common language among all stakeholders
Important note: This classification is for informational and guidance purposes only. Diagnosis and assessment of disability are the exclusive responsibility of qualified healthcare professionals.

Level 1 - Main Macro-Categories

1. Motor and Physical Disabilities

Limitations of motor functions and mobility

1.1 Neurological Motor Disabilities
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • ALS
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Muscular dystrophies
  • Ataxias
  • Spina bifida
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Stroke with motor outcomes
  • Head trauma with motor outcomes
1.2 Orthopedic and Skeletal Disabilities
  • Amputations
  • Congenital limb malformations
  • Arthrogryposis
  • Osteogenesis imperfecta
  • Dwarfism/skeletal dysplasias
  • Severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
  • Severe scoliosis
1.3 Systemic Pathology Disabilities
  • Neuromuscular diseases
  • Myopathies
  • Peripheral neuropathies
  • Post-polio syndrome

2. Sensory Disabilities

Visual, hearing and multi-sensory impairments

2.1 Visual Disabilities
  • Total blindness
  • Severe low vision
  • Mild-moderate low vision
  • Cortical blindness
  • Night blindness
  • Visual field deficits
  • Degenerative retinal pathologies
2.2 Hearing Disabilities
  • Profound bilateral deafness
  • Severe deafness
  • Moderate hearing loss
  • Unilateral deafness
  • Deafblindness
2.3 Multi-Sensory Impairments
  • Visual + hearing deficit
  • Usher syndrome
  • CHARGE syndrome

3. Intellectual and Cognitive Disabilities

Cognitive deficits and learning disorders

3.1 Intellectual Disability
  • Mild intellectual disability (IQ 50-70)
  • Moderate intellectual disability (IQ 35-50)
  • Severe intellectual disability (IQ 20-35)
  • Profound intellectual disability (IQ <20)
3.2 Acquired Neurocognitive Disorders
  • Dementia (Alzheimer's, vascular)
  • Post-trauma cognitive impairment
  • Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
  • Stroke with cognitive deficits
3.3 Specific Learning Disorders
  • Dyslexia
  • Dysgraphia
  • Dysorthographia
  • Dyscalculia
  • Non-verbal learning disorder

4. Psychiatric and Neuropsychiatric Disabilities

Autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric disorders

4.1 Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • High-functioning autism
  • Medium-functioning autism
  • Low-functioning autism
  • Asperger syndrome
  • Pervasive developmental disorder NOS
4.2 Severe Psychiatric Disorders
  • Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
  • Severe bipolar disorder
  • Treatment-resistant major depression
  • Severe personality disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
4.3 Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders
  • Severe ADHD
  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • Conduct disorders
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Selective mutism

5. Genetic Syndromes and Rare Diseases

Chromosomal, genetic syndromes and metabolic diseases

5.1 Chromosomal Syndromes
  • Down syndrome
  • Edwards syndrome
  • Patau syndrome
  • Turner syndrome
  • Klinefelter syndrome
  • Deletion syndromes
5.2 Complex Genetic Syndromes
  • Rett syndrome
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Angelman syndrome
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Williams syndrome
  • Cornelia de Lange syndrome
5.3 Rare Metabolic Diseases
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis
  • Lysosomal diseases
  • Glycogenosis
  • Mitochondrial diseases
5.4 Other Rare Diseases
  • Epidermolysis bullosa
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Severe hemophilia
  • Primary immunodeficiencies

6. Communication and Language Disabilities

Language and communication disorders

6.1 Severe Language Disorders
  • Aphasia (acquired)
  • Verbal dyspraxia
  • Specific language impairment (severe)
  • Severe organic/functional dysphonia
6.2 Non-Verbal Communication Disorders
  • AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) required
  • Total absence of verbal language

7. Multiple and Complex Disabilities

Multiple impairments and complex conditions

7.1 Multiple Impairments
  • Motor + cognitive deficit
  • Motor + sensory deficit
  • Sensory + cognitive deficit
  • Triple diagnosis (motor + sensory + cognitive)
7.2 Complex Medical Conditions
  • Extreme prematurity with sequelae
  • Epileptic encephalopathy
  • Polymalformative syndromes
  • Vegetative/minimally conscious states

8. Visceral and Organic Disabilities

Organ failure and chronic disabling diseases

8.1 Organ Failure
  • Chronic respiratory failure
  • End-stage renal disease
  • Severe heart failure
  • Liver failure
8.2 Chronic Disabling Diseases
  • Complicated type 1 diabetes
  • Severe inflammatory bowel disease
  • Drug-resistant epilepsies
  • Complex congenital heart disease
8.3 Oncological Conditions
  • Pediatric tumors with sequelae
  • Malignant blood diseases

Level 2 - Cross-Sectional Classifications

By Age
  • Early childhood (0-3)
  • Preschool age (3-6)
  • School age (6-14)
  • Adolescence (14-18)
  • Adulthood (18-65)
  • Geriatric age (65+)
By Severity/Autonomy
  • Mild Autonomy preserved
  • Moderate Partial assistance
  • Severe Continuous assistance
  • Profound Total dependence
By Onset
  • Congenital
  • Perinatal
  • Acquired childhood
  • Acquired adult
  • Degenerative
By Reversibility
  • Permanent
  • Progressive
  • Variable
  • Potentially reversible

Level 3 - Functional Tags for the Portal

Care Needs
Augmentative communication (AAC) Feeding management Elimination management Assisted ventilation Continuous monitoring Crisis management Assisted mobilization
Specific Barriers
Architectural barriers Communication barriers Sensory barriers Cognitive barriers Accompaniment required Sign language interpreter required
Priority Services
Sedation required Protected environment Specialized staff Specific equipment

References to Official Classifications

ICF - International Classification of Functioning

World Health Organization (WHO)
Bio-psycho-social system that considers:

  • Body functions and structures
  • Activities and participation
  • Environmental and personal factors
ICD-11

International Classification of Diseases (WHO)
Coding system for diseases and health conditions

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
American Psychiatric Association - For neuropsychiatric disorders

Law 104/1992

Framework law for assistance, social integration and rights of people with disabilities
Italian civil disability classification

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