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Multiple sclerosis Disability Snapshot

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Multiple sclerosis Disability

Snapshot

SGP KP Publishing Exported on 2026-06-17 Page 194 outof 334

SGP KP Publishing - Multiple sclerosis Disability Snapshot

Table of Contents

  • Peak body consulted … page number (not provided)
  • What is multiple sclerosis? … page number: 5
  • Important things to note: … page number:6
  • Common symptoms: …page number :7 `
  • How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?: … page number:8
  • Types of multiple sclerosis:… page number:9
  • Common experiences and impacts of multiple sclerosis:.. page number:10
  • Enabling social and economic participation: .. page number:11
  • How can I tailor a meeting to suit a participant with multiple sclerosis?): . page number:12
  • What people with multiple sclerosis want you to remember:…. page number:13
  • Answers to common questions: ……… page number:14
  • Helpful links: ….. page number:15

SGP KP Publishing - Multiple sclerosis Disability Snapshot

General Information About Multiple Sclerosis

The Disability Snapshot provides general information about multiple sclerosis (MS) aimed at assisting NDIA staff with effective communication during goal-setting meetings. Each MS patient’s experience varies significantly; therefore it’s crucial they are involved actively throughout this process as individuals possess unique needs, preferences, experiences which influence how best we can support them.

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SGP KP Publishing - Multiple sclerosis Disability Snapshot

Section: Peak Body Consulted

Subsection:

  • In developing this resource we consulted with Multiple Scleriosis Australia.

#What\sismultipleclerosis?

Multiplescerosis( MS )is themostcommondegenerativeneurologicalconditiondiagnosedinyoungadults.Itisanincurableandchronic,long-term condition.MS affectsthecentral nervoussystem.Itaffectsthetherainbspinalcordandopticonerveinterfereswiththenormalconductionon nerve impulsesaroundthebody.Itischaracterisedbyscarringoffthefattyinsulatingmyelin sheathwhichprotectsthenervelfibres.Thishappenswhenthesubsystemattacksthemyelinsheathcausing inflammation. These attacks happen early inthediseaseprocessanda gradual loss offunctionduetoneuradamage.Theattackresultsinbrainatrophy,creatingboth cognitive issues andfunctional impairments. Depending on whereintheproduct these attacksand theresulting damage occur,a diverse rangeof symptoms,bosensor ( sensation) anda/or motor(movement)maydevelop.

#Important things to note The condition course is unpredictable and differs from person to person. For some people, it is a disease that fluctuates in severity with periods of unpredictable elapseandremission.Forothers,itisaprogressivedeclineovertime.Foralllitilifechanging.Symptomsinteractandoannotbeassessedinisolation.Symptomsinteractswithothercooccuringconditionscausingacompoundingeffect.Symptomscanbounpredictableandmayvaryonanygivenday.InvisiblesympomsCanBedebilitatingandrresultinarang eofunctionalimpairments.

#Commonsymptoms MS symtoms can be any combinationofthe five major functional impairmentsincluding:

  • motor control - lack o musclecontrolor coordination movements(ataxia) muscular spasmsand tremors,muscle weakness ,impaired styleormanner walking(gait)coordinationproblems,speechcommunicationdifficulties(such as dysarthria dysphonia )abnormal tone hyper-tonicityswallowing difficultiess(dysphagia)breathe diffcultie sheart probleimsimbalanceimpaird upperlower limbfunction -fatigue debilitating fatigue oftenincombinationwith heat sensitivityFatigemayimpact other active symptons forexampleabilitywalk distancesconcentrate or complete daily tasks work -otherneurological sympotns including dizziness vertigo pinsneedles nerve pain ( neuralgia ongoingpain discomfort visual disturbances incluing impaired vision diplopia and depth perception involuntary eye movement nystagmus partial complet sight loss -bladder bowel dysfunction incontinence failure to storeempty urgency waking up more than usual urinate at night nocturia faecal impaction constipation diarrhoea sexual problems -neuropsychological symptoms brain fog impaired memory concentration changes processing speed ability executive function example reasoning problem solving personalitychanges emotional change anxiety depression suicidal thoughts cognitive impairment difficulties sleeping

#5 How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

To help identify MS symptoms earlier, more awareness of MS is needed. Some people may delay seeking treatment for their symptoms, delay some GPs and health professionals can miss early symptoms.

#6 Types of Multiple Sclerosis • Relapsing-Remittent MS (RRMS): characterized as unpredictable attacks followed by partial or total recovery also called exacerbations, elapsesor flares. This is most common form in MS.70to to Agency.

common form of MS .of people with MS begin relapsing-remitting course.Treatments aim reduce attacksto improve long-term outcomes. • Secondary-Progressive MS( SPMS ): a relapsing remitting course which later becomes steadilyprogressive.Somemayattacksandpartialrecoveries continue to occur.Ofthe who startwith relapsingremittin disease more than will develop within years;within years.of people with MS are diagnosed PPMS although diagnosis usually needs made on when person has been living for a period time progressive disability and no acute attacks.

#7 Common experiences and impacts of multiple sclerosis

8 Enabling social and economic participation

It is important to explore how a person with MS can be supported to continue their participation in current activities, education and employment, taking into consideration their interests, tlevel function and fatigue.

It may be appropriate for some participants with MS career/profession with supports in place Peer support from other people with MS can also help support social and economic participation. Employment supports that might be considered through the NDIS include personal care workplace, asistance travel, assistive technology and funding for specialist disability or employment related assessment services. Employment retention and support initiatives can accessed through Work Assist,the Disability Employment Services (DES) program.

#How can\nI tailor
a\nto
suit
an \participant\with
multiple
escerosis? Theseare somesomeaccessibilityorsupportrequirementstoconsider:

  • faceto face meetingsarerecommended.Phonconversationsoftenhardtomanage. checkindividualpreferenceforbesttimedayduetopossiblebrainfogortiredness. Checkaccesstobilityrequirement.Adviseparticipantoflocationandavailabilityofaccessibleparking. checkifthereisaneedinbreakupafacet-to-facemeetingintotwopartsoprovideabreak. scheduleareminderforappointments. everagersonMSbringasupporthelpalongtoprovidereminders,assistreadingprovidesupportgeneral. checkcomfortlevelsensureadjustableairconditioningsavailableduringameeting. enuretheknowslocationsnearestrestrooms/toilets.Allowforbreaks. Considerthatcoordinationofsupsrequired.MSAustraliamembershavefoundplansoftennotactivatedprogressedcanbecomplexmanagewhencoordinationsupportedincludedperson’splanned. treatsomeoneformalMStreatmenturgencyachievingoptimalfunctioninginprogressivestagetimportantmaintainqualitylife. noteNDIAanychangescircumstanceshow do so.Considerbuildingflexibilityintotheirplan.

10 What people with multiple sclerosis want you to

remember

  • MS can be challenging, complex and frustrating. Listen with sensitivity.
  • Be flexible and prepared to ‘think outside the box’. Quite often a person living with MS ‘presents well’ and it is only after more in-depth questioning that their needs become apparent. While some symptoms are relatively easy to discuss, others can cause discomfort or embarrassment For example cognitive symptoms bladder bowel dysfunction sexual dysfunctions even depression . People livingwithMS may have symptomsthat fluctuate greatly from one dayto another It’s important ask about hidden invisiblesymptomshowtheperson functions ona badday Good questions t oaskare what makes your symtomsworse?andwhatmakes them better Askaboutothercooccurringconditionsdisabilitieshowthesevarious medications compoundthepersonsabilitytoperformedailytasks Fluctuationsinmoodmentalhealthcommongreatlyimpactonfunctioning an qualityoflife Someone livings mood changes mental illnessmay find goal settingandevaluationdifficult For many peoppl elivingw ithM S impaired cognitioncan bemajori ssue they maybe not fully aware of full effects condition Person w i th M Smayhaveprepared checklist ahead planning meeting help prompt memory Important you adhere any agreed follow up for phone email Lacktimelycommunicationverystressful people with MS carers Consider each persons support social network stability vocational family history circumstances mindfulcarerburden relationship breakdownsocial isolation children specialneeds child protectionfamily violence issues

11 Answers to common questions

  • Does everyone’s MS follow the same path? No. Because of he epidemiology of MS, each peron’s diseas courseandth e resultin g functional impairm entsare unique too them .
  • IsthereaparticularagegroupsusceptibletomS ? No ,M S can be diagnosed at any age - even children The majority people diagnos ed ar en their early ’s.
  • Isthereacurefor M s? No, there is no cure for MS There are treatments but ony for relapsing remitting MS Treatments aim reduce inflammationrelapses in order slow disease progression and resulting disability Each person responds differently treatment.

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SGP KP Publishing - Multiple sclerosis Disability Snapshot