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The intersection of genes and environment: What causes developmental disorders?
Developmental disorders are a diverse group of chronic conditions involving impairments in mental or physical functioning that develop before adulthood. These disorders present many challenges to the lives of affected individuals, particularly in the areas of language, mobility, learning, self-help and independent living. These disorders can often be detected at an early stage and continue to affect an individual's development throughout his or her life. When all areas of a child's development are affected, the condition is often referred to as global developmental delay.
The most common developmental disabilities include motor and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, dyscolia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and non-verbal learning disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD, which includes classic autism and Asperger's syndrome) causes difficulties with social communication as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. ASD affects speech, the ability to understand body language and social interactions, and makes it difficult to understand other people's social signals, such as sarcasm and affection. ASD also causes repetitive behaviors known as stimming, which are often caused by over- or under-sensitivity to sensory stimulation.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which people are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This extra copy affects the development of the body and brain, causing a series of physical and mental disorders in the individual. Fragile X syndrome, which occurs most frequently in males, is thought to cause autism and intellectual disability.
Causes
The causes of developmental disabilities are varied and remain largely unknown. Even when the cause is known, the line between "cause" and "effect" is not always clear, which makes it difficult to classify the cause. Genetic factors have long been considered one of the main causes of developmental disorders, however these conditions are also thought to have a large environmental component. The relative contributions of nature and nurture have been a focus of debate for decades.
For example, premature birth is thought to be a predictor of potential developmental disabilities in children, further complicating the question of nature versus nurture.
Current theories focus primarily on genetic factors, with more than 1,000 genetic diseases known, including developmental disorders. The prevalence of developmental disabilities in most Western countries is around 1% to 2%, although many government sources acknowledge that statistics are flawed. Globally, the prevalence of developmental disabilities is thought to be around 1.4%. These disorders are twice as common in males as in females, and some researchers have found that the prevalence of mild developmental disorders is more common in poor and deprived areas and occurs more frequently in certain ethnic groups.
Diagnosis and quantification
A developmental disability is often suspected when a child fails to meet expected developmental milestones. Subsequently, a differential diagnosis may be used to diagnose the underlying condition, which may include a physical examination and genetic testing. In addition to taking tests, people with developmental disabilities may be classified into developmental age groups in order to calculate a developmental quotient (DQ).
The calculation formula for DQ is as follows:
DQ = (developmental age / physiological age) * 100
Related topics
Health issues
Many physical health factors associated with developmental disabilities are inherent. For example, poor heart function is a common problem in people with Down syndrome. For people with severe communication difficulties, it becomes difficult to express their health needs in detail, and without good support and education, health problems may not be recognized. Epilepsy, sensory problems (such as poor vision and hearing), obesity, and poor oral health are over-represented in this population. In addition, life expectancy there was typically 20 years below average, although this has improved somewhat so far.
Mental Health Issues (Dual Diagnosis)
Compared to the general population, people with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience mental health problems and psychiatric illness, including children requiring support from their caregivers. There are multiple factors that contribute to the high incidence of dual diagnosis, including a high incidence of traumatic events, developmental limitations, and biological factors.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
People with developmental disabilities are at higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the general population. This is largely due to the negative experiences they face in their lives, including interpersonal trauma, abuse, and lack of autonomy.
Abuse and vulnerabilityAbuse is a significant problem for people with developmental disabilities, who are considered a vulnerable group. Common types of abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial abuse.
Challenging BehaviorPeople with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorders, may exhibit challenging behaviors. Such behavior is defined as "culturally deviant behavior" that may threaten the safety of oneself or others.
The causes of developmental disorders are rooted in the intersection of genes and environment, from the individual's birth background to life experiences, all of which are influencing factors. However, the real answer remains unsolved. How do you think we can balance these factors to find effective solutions that can lead to better support and care?
