cognitive disability

How is a cognitive disability considered severe?

When it comes to an intellectual disability, the spectrum can be broad and range from high-functioning people who can live on their own, to those who have a severe cognitive disability. Considering the spectrum, there are qualifications as to what is considered severe, regarding cognitive disabilities. If your condition is so severe that you cannot live on your own or are unable to work, you can qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

Cognitive and intellectual disabilities can be caused from physical injuries. Though, these injuries are internal, here are some cognitive impairments and what they result in:

● Stroke

● Cerebral Cognitive Affective Disorder (CCAD)

● Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

● Vascular Dementia

● Cerebral Cognitive Affective Disorder (CCAD)

● Pick’s Disease

 What Are Some Of the Common Cognitive Disabilities?

 

Dyslexia:  Dyslexia is a language-based disability that involves affects in the learning process. Roughly 20 percent of the population has a form of language-based disability. Dyslexia is mainly a disability that has to do with reading and can be found in both males and females. Evidence has shown that this disability is inherited.

 
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This medical condition primarily affects someone’s ability to focus or stay still. An individual with ADHD has trouble completing tasks or acts impulsively and tends to act out a lot. Though, ADHD occurs during early stages in life, many aren’t diagnosed until they are adolescents or even adulthood at times. They may lose things or forget about something they need to do and also find it hard to stay organized.

 

Brain Injury: Like previously mentioned, there are numerous causes to brain injuries, such as, strokes, tumors, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Each brain injury can be unique and unfortunately, there is no specific way to determine how the injury will affect someone. One injuries are done to one’s brain, psychological and neurological tests are done to determine which areas of the brain aren’t functioning properly. Depending on the brain injury, results can lead to behaviors that are temporary or unnoticeable behaviors, but this isn’t always the case. The extent of someone’s injury is determined based on the individual’s ability to take in information and process it properly.

 

Genetic Disability: Genetic disabilities can be anything from Autism to Down syndrome. There are some that are high-function, while others aren’t. The functioning of someone can be all over the spectrum, even if two people suffer from the same disability, one may be able to independently live on their own, while another may struggle with daily activities. The more severe ones disability is, the harder daily tasks can be, affecting their ability to work and function on their own.

 

Qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits may be difficult at times, depending on your situation, but working with a disability attorney can be beneficial to your case. If you suspect challenges while filing your claim, an attorney will be able to guide your through those and advice you how to proceed. An attorney will be able to show you how your daily life is affected by your disability and why you should be receiving benefits.