Prepare for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam. Study effectively with flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ensure success on your assessment!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Type 1 diabetes is classified as which type of disorder?

  1. Endocrine disorder

  2. Genetic disorder

  3. Autoimmune disorder

  4. Metabolic disorder

The correct answer is: Autoimmune disorder

Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disorder because it involves the immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. In this condition, the body's immune response leads to the inability to produce insulin, which is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. This autoimmune attack is a defining characteristic of Type 1 diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes can also be associated with endocrine and metabolic aspects—given that it affects hormone levels and glucose metabolism—the core issue is the autoimmune process. Genetic predisposition can play a role in the development of the disorder, but the primary classification is based on the autoimmune nature of the disease. Therefore, identifying Type 1 diabetes as an autoimmune disorder highlights the mechanism by which the condition develops and provides insight into its management and treatment approaches.