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Developmental Disorders
Updated on 3 November 2023
All parents track their children’s development. In most cases, children reach their milestones on time. However, in some cases, a child may not do something they are “supposed to” by a particular age. Identifying and treating developmental disorders is extremely important to help such children lead normal lives.
'Developmental disorder' is a broad term encompassing a wide range of conditions. These can be physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, cognitive impairments, hearing, and vision, as well as learning disorders. A developmental delay can further prevent a child from acquiring other appropriate skills. Therefore, it is essential for parents to recognise any possible delays and address them as quickly as possible.
A number of different symptoms are associated with childhood developmental disorders. Some of these symptoms may be noticeable in infancy. Other symptoms may not be recognisable till the child starts going to school. A few common signs and symptoms of developmental disorders in toddlers include:
Developing and learning slower in comparison to other children of the same age
Rolling over, crawling, sitting, or walking much later in comparison to other children of the same age
Talking late or having difficulty talking
Difficulty socialising or communicating
Issues in remembering things
Difficulty with logical thinking or problem-solving
Abnormally low scores on IQ tests
Inability to understand actions and their consequences
Inability to do normal tasks such as using the restroom or getting dressed without help
Issues with learning or understanding in school
In case these symptoms are being caused due to underlying medical issues, timely identification and treatment can help improve the child’s development.
You may also like : Management of Developmental Disorders in Toddlers
There is no particular known cause of developmental delay. However, certain factors may contribute to its occurrence before the birth of the child, during the birthing process, or even after birth. Possible causes include:
Hereditary or genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome
Trauma to the brain caused due to Shaken Baby Syndrome
Metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU)
Exposure to toxic substances such as lead poisoning or prenatal alcohol exposure
Severe psychosocial trauma, like PTSD
Deprivation of proper environment or food
Certain serious infections
Developmental disorders can be classified into different types. The list of developmental disorders includes:
This is the most noticeable type of developmental disorder. It affects the child’s ability to communicate and understand simple instructions. Communication is essential for making sense of the world. Due to this, such children can also experience impairments and delays in other aspects of their lives. Communication disorders include expressive language disorder, stuttering, phonological disorder, and mixed receptive-expressive disorder.
Physical or motor disabilities include issues with walking and proper use of arms and hands. Some physical disabilities in children also affect their speech and swallowing. Common disorders include muscular dystrophies, spinal atrophies, and cerebral palsy.
Children with learning disabilities experience problems in performing certain tasks if left alone or instructed using conventional methods of teaching. These include disorders such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
This is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder, in which the children exhibit difficulty interacting with other people. Verbal and non-verbal communication is difficult for them to understand and express. They often get noticeably restrictive or demonstrate repetitive behaviour.
Popularly called ADHD, the condition affects the executive functions of a child like control over their inhibitions and attention.
In some cases, developmental disorders may be detected early, even during pregnancy. However, in many cases, they become evident after the child reaches school age. Assessment and diagnosis of the different disorders in the list of early childhood disabilities involve various professionals such as:
Paediatricians
Neuropsychologists
Child psychiatrists or psychologists
Speech pathologists
All these professionals work in tandem with each other to diagnose the condition(s).
Also Read: Childhood Disorders: Meaning, Symptoms & Treatment
Treatment for developmental disorders involves a combination of medication, therapy, skills training, and other supports as well. It is very important to work in close collaboration with healthcare professionals to find the right combination that works best for your child.
The doctor may prescribe medication for managing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, low mood, anger, irritability, attention difficulties, and aggressive behaviour. Besides this, regular assessments and checkups are required to manage the condition efficiently.
It is one of the most important parts of treatment for children with developmental disorders. Depending on the condition and the issues in child development psychology, healthcare professionals may recommend therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, Family Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, skills training, Client-centered Therapy, mindfulness practices, etc.
Parents are recommended to undergo training to understand their children’s needs better. The training can help them understand how they can support their children in the best possible manner. Some examples include ADHD support and training for parents, Incredible Years Training Program for parents, etc.
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Written by
Loveleen Gupta
A working mother with more than two decades of experience in writing for the publishing industry and digital space, Loveleen Gupta loves dabbling in creative writing also. A graduate from Miranda House, she uses her personal experiences to express herself.
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