Developmental disorders are a group of psychological problems whose origination are in childhood. Child development is a long, intricate process. It is during this time that a child learns the skills it needs to be a thriving adult. Each stage of development teaches a child something new. In the infant stages, a child learns skills on how to grab things, how to crawl, and connects with their parents. In the toddler stages, children begin to walk and talk. They may even start daycare where they learn some social skills. The next stage is school age. This age is where puberty and all types of changes occur. When developmental disorders occur, it hinders different aspects of your life.
Developmental disorders are psychological. They all have an effect on the brain. Some of them get better over time, and others do not. These disorders may begin before birth, during birth, or after birth. Some disorders have a genetic origin. If your parents carry genes for a certain disorder, they can pass it down to you. It is good to know your family history, so you know the things that run in your family and the things that you can pass on to your children. Developmental disorders can affect any part of development. Some affect language and learning while others affect motor skills and behavior.
Language disorders may result from malfunctions in the ear or malfunctions in speech. Central Auditory Processing Disorder is not a deformity of any physical features, but it is a neurological problem. Children can hear but have trouble processing the sounds they hear which leads to them having trouble communicating and learning a language. Another language disorder includes Expressive Language Disorder. This disorder makes it difficult for a child to express how they feel through speech. They have trouble finding the proper words.
Learning disorders are tough on children, especially when they have not been diagnosed right away. Dyslexia is a common learning disorder that most people are very familiar with. Dyslexia affects a persons’ ability to read. The letters have a tendency to look backwards which makes reading speed slow and comprehensive difficult. Other learning disorders that are not as familiar are dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Dyscalculia is a learning disorder related to mathematics. The brain has trouble processing numbers and equations making any time of math class tough. Dysgraphia is a learning disability affiliated with writing. You may have trouble processing words to write or you may have a muscle issue that prevents you from being able to hold a writing tool correctly.
Mental retardation is a common developmental disorder that affects motor skills and behavior. Mental retardation can happen in many different ways. It can be genetic or something you acquire through injury. Fragile X Syndrome is a common cause of mental retardation. It occurs when you receive an X chromosome that lengthens, causing a lack of brain development. Down syndrome is another genetic disorder that affects brain development. Cerebral palsy is a disorder that has a major effect on motor skills. It affects movement and muscle tone. Most children are unable to walk or talk.
Disorders like ADD, ADHD, and Autism are not necessarily related to mental retardation but more so related to behaviour. They all affect the brain but not to the point a child is unable to live without constant supervision. Each of these disorders has levels of severity. In its least severe form, autistic children function well and with therapy, they develop social skills and communication skills. ADD and ADHD are attention problems. Children have trouble being attentive. Because of this, they typically do not learn well. They can be full of energy and just never seem to calm down. They can also be impulsive in behaviors and emotions.
Developmental disorders can affect all aspects of development. That includes social, intellectual, and physical. Some developmental disorders affect all areas of development while others may only affect one. There is no cure for developmental disorders, but there are treatments available. When developmental disorders are caught early, the prognosis is even better. A child’s brain can take in a lot. Working with a child early in their diagnosis can help retrain the brain. Some disorders can be masked with medication and others cannot. Through treatment, things normally get better.
Developmental disorders are tough on children and may be more difficult for parents. Some disorders are mild while others are very severe. ADD is a disorder you can live with and control with medication, but those with cerebral palsy do not have that option. These children will need help all the way through their adult lives. Each disorder has levels of severity, but all of them affect brain development. There is currently no way to fix brain disorders. As science progresses, hopefully, a cure will be found for all developmental disorders.
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