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The Mystery of Developmental Disorders: What's Behind These Common Symptoms?
Developmental disorders are a diverse group of chronic conditions that cover mental or physical impairments that occur before adulthood and often cause difficulty in some aspects of life, especially language, motor skills, learning, Areas such as self-help and independent living. These disorders can be detected early and persist throughout an individual's life. When it affects all areas of a child's development, it is called "global developmental delay." Common developmental disabilities include movement disorders and learning difficulties such as dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, motor coordination disorders, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and nonverbal learning disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) causes difficulties with social communication, along with repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.
Autism spectrum disorder affects speech, understanding body language and social interactions, and causes difficulty understanding the social cues of others, such as sarcasm and emotion. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder with an extra chromosome 21 that causes a range of physical and intellectual disabilities in the development of the body and brain. Fragile X syndrome, which is more common in men, is believed to cause autism and intellectual disability. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of disorders caused by maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy. In polio, a group of diseases that affect the ability to move and maintain balance and posture, it is the most common movement disorder in children. Intellectual disability is defined as an IQ below 70, associated with limitations in adaptive functioning, and onset before the age of 18. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive dysfunction that affects attention, cognition, self-control, and emotion regulation.
Reason
Developmental disorders have various causes, and the cause in most cases remains unknown. Even in cases where the cause is known, the line between cause and effect is not always clear, making classification difficult. Genetic factors have long been implicated as a cause of developmental disorders, and these conditions are also thought to have a large environmental component, and the relative contributions of nature versus nurture have been explored for decades.
Preterm birth is considered a predictor of potential developmental disorders, complicating the issue of nature versus nurture.
Because prematurity itself may be caused by earlier and longer-standing difficulties. Second, birth in this immature pregnancy may damage major organs (such as the lungs and brain) immediately, or damage may occur during the neonatal period, for example from necessary invasive treatments. Furthermore, the depletion of adaptation or stress may impair or disrupt development. The high stimulating nature of the hospital environment and lack of social interaction with the mother may also increase risk. In short, many causes, individually or in different combinations, can contribute to developmental problems in extremely premature infants.
Diagnosis and Quantification
A developmental disorder may initially be suspected when a child does not reach expected stages of development. A differential diagnosis can then be provided to diagnose the underlying disease, which may include a physical exam and genetic testing. The degree of disability can be quantified by assigning a developmental age to a person, which may be classified into age groups based on their test scores.
Statistics on developmental disabilities show that in most Western countries, developmental disabilities affect 1% to 2% of the population.
Related questions
Physical health issues
Many physical health factors are associated with developmental disabilities. These factors are inherent in certain symptoms and diagnoses, such as heart dysfunction in people with Down syndrome. People with severe communication difficulties find it difficult to express their health needs due to a lack of effective support and education. Epilepsy, sensory problems (such as poor vision and hearing), obesity, and poor dental health are overrepresented in these populations.
Mental health issues (dual diagnosis)
Mental health problems and psychiatric disorders are more likely to occur in people with developmental disabilities, including children who require adequate psychoeducation and peer support. This high prevalence is related to a variety of factors: a high likelihood of lifetime exposure to traumatic events, social challenges due to developmental constraints, and biological factors.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
People with developmental disabilities are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population, primarily due to their increased vulnerability to negative life experiences. This psychological disorder may develop after a trauma and manifests as symptoms such as negative thoughts or memories of the trauma and avoidance of recurrence of the trauma. However, these symptoms often go undiagnosed correctly.
Abuse and vulnerability
Abuse is an important issue among people with developmental disabilities. Lacking the ability to self-advocate and understand social norms, these populations face various forms of abuse, including physical abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse. Criminal justice systems globally generally fail to adequately meet the needs of these people, both as victims and as offenders.
Challenging Behavior
Some people with developmental disabilities may exhibit challenging behaviors, such as self-harm and aggression. This type of behavior often requires assessment to identify areas for improvement and can be analyzed using assessment tools.
Behind the veil of developmental disabilities are complex causes and consequences that challenge our knowledge and understanding of these issues. So, what exactly can we do to improve the quality of life for these people?
