What is developmental disability?
A person with a developmental disability may not be able to learn to do normal activities, can be unable to control certain body movements and suffer from speech problems.
It is important for parents to know what a developmental disability is. People with developmental disorders have many limitations because of problems in the development of various physical, mental or emotional abilities to cope up with the demands of the external environment. Children, adolescents and adults are at risk for developing these disorders.
The symptoms of developmental disabilities vary depending on the type of disorder. Some symptoms are also apparent in people with intellectual disabilities. In children, developmental disabilities are diagnosed based on developmental milestones that occur early. They include:
It is a common disease or condition affecting the ability of a person to develop normally. In the early stages of this disease, symptoms may not become evident. Visit website to know more.
Typical symptoms include:
Physical limitations such as abnormal development of muscle mass or weakness. Brain damage which may cause the inability to read or write.
Mental disabilities like problems with eye or hearing. Impairments in vision or hearing can cause difficulties to process and understand sounds and words.
Some types of development disabilities affect the ability to walk, use the hands or speak, and perform simple tasks. These include problems like cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, aphasia, spasticity, stroke, deafness, Down syndrome, and autism. They can be classified into three basic types.
Movement Deficiencies (FMD) or Movement Deficits (MDF) – This is the most common of the three types of developmental disabilities. People with FMD are unable to walk, use their hands or use their feet.
Language Deficiencies (LD) – This is usually caused by an abnormality in how the brain processes language. People with LD usually do not use the language properly or respond correctly to sounds, gestures or spoken words. Language deficiencies can affect learning and reading skills, memory and other skills.
Cognitive Deficiencies (CD) – This involves the impairment of thinking processes and memory. It can cause difficulties to remember things or complete tasks. such as planning, organizing or completing a task, learning how to play a musical instrument, or how to drive a car.
Language Developmental Deficiencies (LD) – Individuals with LD usually show problems in understanding spoken language or comprehending and using spoken language. Their speech includes grammatical errors and irregularities, limited vocabulary, unusual word combinations, awkward pauses and sentences, and syntax and sentence structure.
Communication Issues (CD) – Communication problems may include poor oral expression, inappropriate gestures, gestures and speech patterns, and the inability to respond appropriately. These are generally evident when a child speaks and their response is slow and infrequent.
Learning and Behavioral Challenges (LB) – People’s communication and learning skills are affected by their physical, intellectual, emotional and environmental situations. Children with LD are more likely to have problems in school, at home, and in society in general. Learning and behavioral challenges include: Problem solving, socialization, reasoning, verbal and non-verbal skills, social skills, self-control, problem solving skills, memory and language, and cognitive development, memory and language skills, and communication skills.
Social and Emotional Developmental Disabilities (SD) – Developmental disabilities can be classified as either mild or severe depending on how they affect a person’s ability to function in society. These include: Learning disabilities, emotional or mental retardation, and mental health conditions such as dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s syndrome and low IQ.
Mental Health Conditions – People with mental health conditions are categorized based on the severity of the condition and whether they involve physical disabilities. They include: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD), depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, and schizophrenia.
If you are concerned about your loved one’s development, you should seek the advice of a doctor to learn about what is a developmental disability and how to get it treated. You may also want to talk to a family member, caretaker or school teacher if you feel that there may be an underlying physical problem.
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