If a child has a developmental delay, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills.
What are developmental disorders?
Developmental disorders affect a child’s physical, cognitive, language or behavioral development. They can impact everyday functioning and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Developmental disorders can affect physical abilities, such as vision, and mental abilities, such as learning. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems. Developmental disorders can take a toll on an individual’s physical, intellectual and emotional growth.
More about developmental disorders
Developmental disorders diagnosis
Growth and development are tracked by a child’s parents and provider. The child’s primary care provider will evaluate the child for developmental delays or problems and address any concerns. This is called developmental monitoring or surveillance. Any problems noticed during developmental monitoring should be followed up with developmental screening.
Developmental screening is a short test to tell if a child is learning basic skills when he or she should, or if there are delays.
Developmental disorder causes
Most developmental disorders begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth because of injury, infection or other factors.
Many developmental disorders are believed to be caused by different factors. Some factors include:
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Injury
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Infection
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Genetics
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Exposure to high levels of environmental toxins (such as lead)
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Use of alcohol or other substances during pregnancy
Developmental disorders can happen to anyone.
Developmental disorder types
Some types of developmental disorders include:
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Hearing loss
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Intellectual disability
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Vision impairment
Some people may have one or more developmental disabilities at once.
Developmental disorder treatment
Developmental delay is generally not curable, however it can be treated. Treatment programs may include:
- Individual and family therapies
- Medications
- Applied behavioral analysis
- Occupational and speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Special education
- Treatment of underlying medical issues, if present
