DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Developmental disabilities are a group of severe and long-term conditions due to physical, mental, or both physical and mental impairments. Physical impairments may include blindness and hearing loss while mental impairments may include learning and behavioral disabilities. It is also possible to have both physical and mental impairments such as in the case of Down syndrome. These conditions may begin anytime during the developmental period, which is from birth up to 18 years old which affects day-to-day living and functioning that usually last for a lifetime. In the United States, studies show that about one in six children has one or more types of developmental disabilities. Most developmental disabilities occur even before the baby is born while some can occur after birth which may be a result of infection or injury. Causes of developmental disabilities may include:

  • Genetic or chromosome abnormalities.
  • Parental health and behaviors during pregnancy which includes smoking and drinking alcohol.
  • Complications during birth
  • Infections during pregnancy
  • Exposure of the mother and child to high levels of environmental toxins such as lead

SYMPTOMS

Certain developmental disabilities include:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually first diagnosed in childhood through certain criteria such as having trouble paying attention, acting without thinking about results, or being overly active.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder.It is a condition wherein social skills, communication skills, and behavior are affected that even though the person diagnosed with ASD can interact, behave, and learn, it is through ways that are different from most other people. The condition ranges from people who are gifted to severely challenged.
  • Cerebral Palsy.It is the most common motor disability in childhood which affects the ability to move and maintain balance and posture caused by abnormal brain development that affects muscle control.
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.A condition that occurs when the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy which causes physical and behavioral problems to the child.
  • Fragile X Syndrome.It is a genetic disorder caused when the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene creates little to none of the protein needed by the brain to develop normally called FMR that results in intellectual disabilities.
  • Hearing Loss.This condition can happen when any part of the ear which includes the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, acoustic nerve, and the auditory system has abnormalities that may affect the ability to develop speech and language skills as well as social skills.
  • Kernicterus. It is a type of brain disorder that is a result of complications from severe jaundice or the yellow color of skin in newborns due to bilirubin build-up in the blood. When the blood of the baby has high levels of bilirubin which is a yellowish substance formed when a part of the red blood cell breaks down.
  • Muscular Dystrophy.It is a group of genetic disorders that causes muscle disease and weakness which are progressive and may result in decreased mobility.
  • Tourette Syndrome.This refers to a condition of the nervous system that causes tics which are sudden repetitive movements or sounds that can’t be stopped even if the person wanted to.
  • Vision Impairment. This refers to when the eyesight is not corrected to a normal level which results in blurred vision, blinking more than usual, having trouble reading, and having trouble doing close-up work. It is mainly caused by eye damage, incorrectly shaped eyes, or even brain damage.

Other types of developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, learning disorders, and speech and language disorders.

DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT

 

Diagnosis and treatment of the developmental disabilities mentioned are different from each other. While developmental monitoring and screening is the most common diagnosis and medication and therapies are the most common form of treatment, specific diagnosis, and treatment of developmental disabilities include:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
    • Diagnosis: The use of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5) guidelines which involve criteria of symptoms that will be reviewed to provide a correct diagnosis.
    • Treatment: Results from DSM-5 criteria provide treatment in the form of medications or behavioral therapy.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Diagnosis: Since there is no medical test that can be used to diagnose ASD, the doctor reviews the developmental history and behavior of the child.
    • Treatment: This may include approaches and therapies such as behavior intervention strategies, social skills training, occupational and physical therapy, dietary approaches, and use of medications.
  • Cerebral Palsy
    • Diagnosis: Developmental monitoring and screening which tracks the child’s growth and developmental delays.
    • Treatment: The treatment makes use of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act that includes early interventions for toddlers and services for school-aged children
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
    • Diagnosis: There is no medical test to diagnose FASD, the doctor will review symptoms such as abnormal facial features, lower-than-average height, and problems in the central nervous system
    • Treatment: Treatment options include medication and behavior and education therapy.
  • Hearing Loss
    • Diagnosis: Hearing screening is used to diagnose hearing loss
    • Treatment: Using assistive devices such as hearing aids and taking medications can be used. Surgery is also an option under certain conditions.
  • Fragile X Syndrome
    • Diagnosis: A diagnosis can be obtained by performing a blood test to test the DNA.
    • Treatment: Treatment options include medication and therapies that involve walking and interacting with others.
  • Kernicterus
    • Diagnosis: A bilirubin test may be performed on the newborn to test for bilirubin levels which involves taking a blood sample from the baby’s heel.
    • Treatment: When the bilirubin levels are high, the baby may be put under special lights and milk intake may be increased.
  • Muscular Dystrophy
    • Diagnosis: Early screening and developmental monitoring are conducted to track motor development
    • Treatment: Treatment which includes medication and therapy and approaches may vary depending on the diagnosis

 

  • Tourette Syndrome
    • Diagnosis: Have the doctor inspect the tic disorder and its type which maybe motor, vocal, or a combination of both
    • Treatment: If the tics don’t get in the way, treatment is not necessary however, if the tics cause a major interference such as stress, pain, or injury, medication and behavioral treatments can be considered.
  • Vision Impairment
    • Diagnosis: Have a check-up with an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other specialists to confirm the diagnosis
    • Treatment: The use of lenses to correct and assist eyesight. Surgery of the eye may also be conducted under certain conditions.

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