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Language, learning, life skills: How do developmental disabilities affect a child's growth?
Developmental disorders are a diverse group of chronic conditions that include mental or physical impairments that appear before adulthood. These disorders can cause significant difficulties in all aspects of life, particularly in areas such as language, mobility, learning, self-help and independent living. Developmental disorders are often detected early and can continue to affect an individual throughout his or her life. Some developmental disorders may affect all areas of a child's development and are often referred to as global developmental delays.
Developmental disabilities have a profound impact on a child's language development, learning ability, and life skills.
Common developmental disabilities include movement disorders and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects social communication and exhibits repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. These disorders can hinder children's ability to understand other people's body language and social interactions, and often leave them with challenges understanding sarcasm or emotional expressions. In addition, genetic diseases such as Down syndrome can have an impact on an individual's physical and brain development, causing a series of physical and mental disabilities.
Causes of developmental disabilities
Developmental disabilities have many causes, and in most cases the cause is unknown. Even in cases where there is a known cause, the line between "cause" and "effect" is not always clear, making classifying the cause difficult. Genetic factors are thought to play an important role in these disorders, and the influence of environmental factors is also thought to be non-negligible. Preterm birth is a predictor of potential developmental disorders in children.
Many developmental disorders may be caused by a combination of factors that affect each individual to varying degrees.
Current research looks for different genetic conditions and uses them as a basis to determine the likelihood of developmental disorders. According to statistics, these disorders affect approximately 1% to 2% of the population in Western countries, and approximately 1.4% of the global population. These disorders are twice as common in males as in females, and the prevalence of mild developmental disorders may be higher in areas of poverty and fewer resources.
Diagnosis and quantification
A developmental disorder is usually suspected when a child fails to reach expected stages of development. Subsequently, differential diagnosis may be performed, which may include a physical examination and genetic testing to determine the underlying disease. Through the assessment, individuals are assigned a developmental age and classified based on their test scores. The results of this type of assessment can be used to calculate a Developmental Quotient (DQ), which can be compared with the child's age and other indicators of growth.
Issues related to developmental disabilities
Physical health issues
Physical health problems associated with developmental disabilities include a range of different health factors, such as epilepsy, sensory problems, obesity and poor dental health. These problems may be inherent in certain syndromes and diagnoses. For example, people with Down syndrome may themselves be at risk for heart failure. Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression also tend to occur more frequently in this group than in the general population.
Mental health issues (dual diagnosis)
People with developmental disabilities have higher rates of mental health problems and a variety of factors that affect their quality of life. Possible causes of these problems include exposure to multiple traumatic events, social and developmental limitations, and biological and developmental factors. These patients often lack adequate education and social support, causing them to face greater stress and challenges.
Diagnosis and appropriate treatment of mental health problems are often challenging because these patients have limited ability to communicate and understand.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Individuals with developmental disabilities are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder due to their vulnerability. The life experiences of these individuals are often accompanied by intense negative emotional reactions and behavioral challenges. When practicing psychotherapy, it is crucial to take a personalized approach.
Abuse and Vulnerability
People with developmental disabilities are often considered a vulnerable group and face various forms of abuse. Including physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and more. These abuses are often accompanied by psychological trauma, making it more difficult for these patients to seek help.
Challenging Behavior
People with developmental disabilities, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, can exhibit challenging behaviors that can be harmful to themselves and others. Assessment of such behavior can help identify further room for improvement and the need for treatment.
In this society that is increasingly concerned about developmental disabilities, what we should think about is how to effectively help these children realize their potential and promote their all-round development so that they can obtain a better quality of life in society. What about support?
