Glossary L - N

Mainstream/Mainstreaming

This refers to the complete integration of people with disabilities into the social fabric of their local community. This includes integration in the areas of education and employment as well as in the community's social and cultural life.

Motor

Relating to the ability to move a part of or the entire body.

Multidisciplinary

This model refers to a team or collaborative process where members of different disciplines assess or treat service users independently and then share the information with each other.

Multisensory Room

A specifically designed environment which enables a child with special needs to enjoy a wide range of sensory experiences (vision, sound, touch, smell and taste) for therapy, learning, relaxation and fun.

Muscle Tone

The amount of tension in a muscle. It is important for movement and posture. Disturbances in muscle tone can be either hypertonia, hypotonia or dystonia.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is marked by a weakening and degeneration of muscle fibre. It is genetic. Although the nerve connections to the fibre remain unimpaired, the muscle is replaced by fatty tissue. Muscular dystrophy is recognised in the first few years of life by weakness and difficulty in getting up from the floor. The diagnosis is confirmed with findings of very elevated muscle enzymes in a blood sample taken by a doctor. The rate of dystrophy varies from person to person.