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Did you know how prevalent developmental disabilities are globally?
Developmental disorders are a diverse group of chronic conditions that include psychological or physical impairments that appear before adulthood. These disorders can cause difficulties for individuals in certain areas of life, particularly language, movement, learning, self-help, and independent living. Developmental disorders can often be detected early and persist throughout an individual's lifespan. Particularly for barriers that affect all areas of development, a condition sometimes referred to as global development delay.
The most common developmental disabilities include dyspraxia, dyslexia, idiopathic language disorder, autism spectrum disorder, etc.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects an individual's ability to socialize and communicate, often accompanied by repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Additionally, these individuals may have difficulty understanding the social cues, language, and body language of others. Autism spectrum disorder manifests itself in many forms, and common symptoms include behaviors such as hypersensitivity or dullness to sensory stimulation, such as touch or hearing. Other developmental disabilities include Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy.
Reason
The causes of developmental disorders are diverse and in many cases unclear, and even among known causes, the line between "cause" and "effect" is not always clear, making classification of causes difficult. Genetic factors have long been considered one of the main causes of developmental disorders, however some studies suggest that environmental factors also play an important role. There has been intense discussion about the contribution of nature versus nurture factors.
Current research shows a correlation between early birth and potential developmental disorders.
Diagnosis and quantification
Developmental disorders are often first suspected when a child's developmental stages are delayed. Along with this comes differential diagnosis to diagnose the underlying disease, which may require a physical examination and genetic testing. The accuracy of diagnosis often depends on an assessment of the individual's developmental age and timing.
Related questions
Developmental disorders are common with a number of physical health problems and may even be inherent to specific syndromes and diagnoses. For example, people with Down syndrome often have heart failure. Many people with severe communication disorders also experience challenges expressing health needs due to communication difficulties. This also reflects the significant differences in mental health risks between people with developmental disabilities and the general population.
In society, the life expectancy of people with disabilities is about 20 years on average, but this data is improving with the advancement of social adaptation and medical technology.
Abuse and Vulnerability
The problem of abuse is particularly acute among people with developmental disabilities because they are often considered a vulnerable group. Common forms of abuse include physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. These abusive behaviors often directly exacerbate the mental health problems of this group, leading to the worsening of psychological disorders.
When it comes to treating people with disabilities as a specific group of people, society often lacks the necessary understanding and support.
Challenging Behavior
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder may exhibit challenging behaviors that may pose a serious safety threat to themselves or others. Common challenging behaviors include self-injurious behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and repetitive behaviors. Using assessment tools can help identify areas for further improvement.
Globally, the prevalence of developmental disabilities is approximately 1.4%, and is twice as common in men as in women. Does this mean that society should pay more attention to and support this group to improve their quality of life?
