Physical Disabilities

Mild: Requires no equipment for daily functioning; requires average or slightly above average medical care, appointments, etc.; can perform basic life management functions appropriate for child’s age and development; can use mainstream methods of transportation and communication; has a condition which is totally managed by medication; has a condition which is correctable or improves on its own with time; is developmentally delayed in physical development but has a prognosis of catching up.

Moderate: Requires non-life support equipment and has relatively stable condition. While not correctable, neither is it progressive or degenerative. Requires moderate home modifications; may require corrective surgery; requires up to weekly medical appointments; can perform basic life management functions appropriate for child’s age and development (feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene) with some assistance; may require some assistance with transportation and communication functions.

Severe: Requires life support equipment; has a progressive, degenerative or terminal illness; requires significant home modifications; requires repeated or frequent hospitalizations or surgeries; requires 2 or more medical appointments per week; requires a parent or aide to perform basic life management functions (feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, etc.) always requires special adaptations for transportation and/or communication.