Category Archives: Developmental Disabilities

Having a child with disabilities could put a strain in or add pressure to any relationship. For this reason it’s vital for families to not only be strong for their child, but also for whole family. The first step to coping is by learning.

What are the causes?

There are numerous causes that could cause disabilities. Extremely premature birth is among the more prevalent causes. Premature births rob babies the opportunity of fully developing inside their mother’s wombs. It’s important to note that this doesn’t apply for all cases. Another prevalent cause is brain injury or infection. This could occur before, during, or after birth. A mother’s health during her pregnancy may also contribute to such disabilities. That is why it’s important for mothers to get proper pre-natal care. Irregularities in chromosomes and genes also have proven to be another cause.

What are its different manifestations?

Developmental disabilities come in various forms.

Among them are mental retardation, autism, and Down syndrome. Normally, signs won’t be immediately obvious. Most symptoms come slowly and become more obvious as the child grows up.

Article by Robin Brain

Article by edu-mart

Sometimes be hard to detect at birth. Usually, by the age of 18 months the symptoms often associated with a developmental disorder are apparent. For other individuals (especially girls with a severe autistic-like condition known as Rhett Syndrome) the first sign of a developmental disability will be apparent at ages between 18 or 24 months. Another type of cause, traumatic brain injury, can happen much later in a child’s life. Car accidents or a severe blow to the head can cause brain damage in areas that control cognitive or physical development. Sometimes, the injury is so severe that the child will lose cognitive or motor skills and will be dependent on others for life.A developmental disability – as opposed to normal developmental delay – will affect certain functions in three or more of the following areas:Capacity for independent livingEconomic self-sufficiencyLearning MobilityReceptive and expressive languageSelf-careSelf-directionAfter a child has been identified with a developmental disability, he or she will be classified in terms of support they need. Services may refer to many things; it can be special education, therapy, assisted technology, or respite care – to name a few. There are varying degrees of severity a person with this condition can be labeled with. A child labeled with it may be designated as having a moderate/severe (for those diagnosed with Down syndrome, severe forms of autism, or mental retardation, or other intellectual delays) or moderate/mild (processing disorder, ADD or ADHD). Moderate/severe usually means the child will possibly be dependent on someone for the rest of his/her life. These designations will follow the child throughout the time he/she attends school; especially for those with and Individual Education Plan (IEP), or Section 504.There are many causes and effects associated with a developmental disability. The condition can be traumatic or it can be mild. Some children with this condition will need some form of help for the rest of their lives. Others may be able to function in society. Either way, early detection may help parents, teachers, and doctors make critical decisions to help the child with a developmental disability.