Disability | Category | RPwD Act 2016 | Description | How Parents Can Assess | Diagnosis |
Locomotor Disability | Orthopedic & Locomotor Disabilities | Yes | A disability of the musculoskeletal system that results in substantial restriction of movement of limbs. It involves inability of bones, joints, or muscles to function normally. Examples include paralysis, limb deformities, amputations, or conditions like polio that affect mobility. | Parents might notice the child has difficulty crawling or walking compared to peers. They may limp, use one side of the body more, or need support to walk. The child might have an observable deformity of the neck, spine or limbs, or may use assistive devices (braces, crutches, wheelchair) to move. Any persistent difficulty in using arms or legs for age-appropriate activities should prompt evaluation. | Diagnosis is clinical: an orthopedic or neurologic assessment, including X-rays or other imaging if needed to determine cause. The degree of movement restriction is measured (e.g., range-of-motion tests, muscle strength grading). The rehabilitation team (physician, physiotherapist) also assesses need for assistive devices. A locomotor disability certificate is issued if limb movement is significantly impaired (typically 40% or more restriction as per guidelines). |
Leprosy Cured Persons | Orthopedic & Locomotor Disabilities | Yes | Persons who have been cured of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) but have residual permanent disabilities. This may include loss of sensation in hands/feet, muscle weakness or paralysis, and deformities of limbs or eyes. (By law, categories range from no visible deformity but sensation loss to more severe deformities.) | Look for patchy, discolored skin lesions that had reduced sensation (the early sign of leprosy), and any resulting impairments. A child cured of leprosy might exhibit numbness in extremities or healed ulcers. There may be deformities like clawed fingers or drop foot. Parents would likely know the disease history; ongoing issues include insensitive hands/feet (prone to injury) | Diagnosis of leprosy is medical (skin smears/biopsy when active). After cure, disability assessment is done by a medical board evaluating loss of sensation and limb deformity. The extent of nerve damage (e.g. through monofilament tests for sensation) and any deformities (missing digits, etc.) are documented for certification. |
Cerebral Palsy (CP) | Neurological & Intellectual Disabilities | Yes | A group of non-progressive neurological disorders caused by damage to the developing brain (before, during, or shortly after birth) that affects body movement, muscle tone, and coordination. CP is lifelong but non-progressive (the brain lesion doesn’t worsen, though the effects on the body can change over time). | Infants with CP often miss motor milestones. For example, a baby may have difficulty holding their head up, rolling over, or sitting at the typical ages. Parents might notice the baby feels either unusually stiff or floppy when handled. As the child grows, they may favor one side (e.g., crawling by pushing off with one hand/leg), or have asymmetric posture. Other signs include persistent primitive reflexes, poor balance and coordination, or involuntary movements/tremors. If a toddler isn’t walking or is walking on toes with scissor gait (crossing knees), these are strong indicators. | Diagnosis is usually made in infancy or early childhood. Doctors assess the child’s motor development through neurological exams. They may use brain imaging (MRI) to look for areas of damage or abnormal development in the brain. There is no specific lab test for CP; it’s a clinical diagnosis supported by history (e.g. prematurity or birth complications) and exam findings. Once CP is suspected, evaluations by neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and therapists are done to categorize the type and severity (e.g. spastic, athetoid CP, etc.). Early intervention evaluations often double as diagnostic assessments. |
Dwarfism | Neurological & Intellectual Disabilities | Yes | A medical/genetic condition resulting in short stature. By definition, adult height is 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) or less. Most commonly caused by achondroplasia, it often features disproportionately short limbs. | The child’s growth is noticeably delayed – they are much shorter than other kids their age. Certain features may be present: for example, a relatively large head with prominent forehead, bowed legs, or shortened arms and legs. Parents might observe that clothing sizes for much younger children fit, or doctors may flag growth charts where height is far below normal percentiles. | Pediatricians diagnose dwarfism through growth measurements and physical exam. Bone X-rays can show characteristic growth plate changes. Genetic testing can confirm specific causes (e.g. FGFR3 gene mutation in achondroplasia). An endocrine evaluation might be done to rule out hormonal causes. Diagnosis is confirmed when the child’s projected adult height falls at or below the 147 cm threshold(after excluding treatable causes). |