Identifying developmental disabilities in babies is important as early intervention programs have been shown to be more effective. This means that it is possible for parents to reduce the risk of their child not graduating from high school, being unemployed, or resorting to criminal behavior. The earlier a disability is identified, the sooner the child can receive the services they need to live a healthy and happy life. However, it can often be difficult to determine if a baby has a developmental disability. Many risk factors may help determine whether a child will have an intellectual disability. Some of these risk factors are genetic, others are environmental, and some children have no known risk factors. This article provides a descriptive guide about developmental disability by discussing types of developmental disabilities treating and assisting developmental disability.
Types of Developmental Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities affect a person's ability to learn. IQ scores usually measure them. When a child does not grow up successfully, this may result in low intelligence, poor judgment, inability to develop social skills, depression, substance abuse, delinquency, and other problems. This makes them unable to function at work, with friends, or in families. With the introduction of new technologies and devices such as computers, cell phones, video games, and iPads, today, there seems to be an increase of reported cases of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among young people, though admittedly, this is also likely because it’s much easier to diagnose and there’s far more awareness of it.
Physical disabilities are associated with significant delays in growth, motor skills, and sometimes vision. These delays may range from mild delays such as fine motor movement problems to severe conditions such as cerebral palsy. A physical disability can also be caused by injury or disease. Children who do not get enough oxygen during birth may suffer brain damage resulting in learning disabilities and may lose part of their sight.
Because of neurological deficits, children who are sensory integrative (Sensory Integration) disabled struggle with receiving information through touch, hearing, or smell/taste. For example, people with autism spectrum disorder experience difficulty integrating information across different senses. For these individuals, sensory integration therapy helps them recognize objects, respond appropriately when stimulated by sound, use touch, and make decisions based on what they see.
Other disorders include:
- Visual impairment, multiple handicaps, including speech and physical impairments, cognitive delay.
- Emotional disturbances like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Genetic disorders (Mendelian).
If a parent suspects their children have any type of developmental disability, it's best to seek professional assistance early.
Treating and Assisting Developmental Disability
If parents think their children might have a disability, they should contact their doctor immediately. Their pediatrician should ask questions regarding their children's current health status, medical history, age, and family background. He may then refer them to a specialist if necessary. Specialists can perform special tests, administer medications, diagnose and treat underlying causes of certain diseases, and administer therapies.
Therapy for children includes educational counseling, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), recreational therapy (RT), and therapeutic recreation (TR). OT helps children reach their highest potential. An OT assesses the needs of the individual and develops specialized training plans to improve communication and interaction skills and physical abilities such as walking, running, jumping, throwing, and catching. PT is used to help regain strength, balance, coordination, and mobility after illness, surgery, or a trauma. RT increases activity levels and provides opportunities for fun. TR involves play, fantasy, and imagination. It allows children to express themselves through art, music, dance, drama, puppetry, gymnastics, sports, games, creative writing, self-expression, role-playing, and many other activities that give pleasure to all ages.
Parents play a vital role in raising children who are later diagnosed with disabilities. Parents must take responsibility for teaching children about consequences and proper behavior. Many parents feel guilty when they notice their children act out because they believe they did something wrong. However, children learn from their childhood experiences, which affect their attitudes toward others. So whether or not you know it, your child's conduct reflects traits he has picked up from his environment. If you want your child to be successful later in life, don't just focus on giving them good grades: also, focus on developing positive values and behavior. When children feel appreciated and loved, they grow into responsible adults.