✅ Easy Read Text Related Health Conditions with Disabilities, Special Needs, or Mental Illness

 

⚠️ Not everyone with a disability or mental illness will have these health conditions.
⚠️ Risks are different for each person.
⚠️ Many of these conditions can last a long time or for life.

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1. Physical Health Risks

• Obesity (being overweight)
  Can happen because of less movement, side effects from medicine, or not having healthy food or exercise.

• Diabetes (Type 2)
  Linked with obesity, poor diet, or not enough activity. Stress and some medicines can also cause risk.

• Heart Disease
  Higher risk if someone has stress, poor diet, little movement, or takes some psychiatric medicines.

• Chronic Pain
  Common in people with physical disabilities (like cerebral palsy or spinal injury) or mental health conditions (like depression or PTSD).

• Arthritis
  More common in people with mobility problems or musculoskeletal conditions.

• Bladder and Bowel Problems
  Can affect people with spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or developmental disabilities.

• Sleep Problems
  Like sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless legs. Can be linked to mental illness, autism, or physical disabilities.

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2. Mental and Emotional Health Risks

• Depression and Anxiety
  Can be part of the condition, or caused by stigma, stress, or lack of support.

• Substance Use (drugs or alcohol)
  Sometimes used to cope if mental illness is not treated.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  Can happen after trauma, abuse, or medical treatment.

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3. Cognitive and Brain-Related Risks

• Seizure Disorders (like epilepsy)
  More common in people with cerebral palsy, autism, or intellectual disabilities.

• Cognitive Decline or Dementia
  Higher risk as some people age, like people with Down syndrome.

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Why These Risks Happen

• Biological Factors: Some conditions share genetic or body-based causes.

• Medication Side Effects: Some medicines can cause weight gain, diabetes, or heart problems.

• Access to Care: People with disabilities may find it harder to get good healthcare.

• Lifestyle: Less mobility, social isolation, or lack of health programs can affect health.

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Examples by Disability Type

Primary Condition	Physical Health Risks	Mental/Brain Risks
Physical Disabilities	Obesity, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, bladder/bowel problems, diabetes	Depression, anxiety, PTSD (after injury)
Developmental Disabilities (Autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability)	Sleep problems, obesity, stomach issues, seizures, early dementia (Down syndrome)	Anxiety, depression, behavior issues, sensory problems
Mental Illness (Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, PTSD)	Obesity, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, sleep problems