A developmental disability can be any of a number of conditions that manifest during critical stages of childhood and have lasting negative effects on a person's physical, cognitive, or behavioural health.
Limitations in function due to abnormalities of the growing nervous system are included in the category of developmental disabilities. Delays in attaining developmental milestones or absence of function in one or more domains, such as cognition, motor skills, vision, hearing, speech, and behaviour, are the most obvious signs of these impairments in infants and young children.
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The Developmental Disability Concept
The term "developmental disability" was proposed to replace "mental retardation" in the United States in an amendment to the 1963 Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act (later known generally as the Developmental Disabilities Act). When the act was reauthorized in 1970, the two words were used interchangeably, with developmental disability defined as a "disability due to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another neurological illness" that began before the age of 18.
Since the original statute, the legal definition in the United States has been revised several times. Autism and dyslexia, for example, were added to the list of developmental impairments in the 1975 amendment. A non-categorical approach to developmental impairments was a fundamental conceptual change in the 1978 amendment. Developmental impairments were characterised in terms of functional limits in main life activity areas rather than diagnoses of specific illnesses (e.g., cerebral palsy or autism). The severity, chronicity, and origins before to adulthood criteria remained in the definition. Thus, if extensive care and support were not required, a person could have cerebral palsy or autism without being deemed developmentally retarded.
The government definition of developmental impairment in the United States is more of a statement of concept than a diagnostic benchmark. This phrase has several different meanings and is often used as a synonym for "intellectual disability" among diagnostic disability categories (a term that superseded mental retardation). To determine who is eligible for services, state governments in the United States use federal guidelines as a framework, although they base their requirements mostly on the initial diagnostic categories established for people with developmental disabilities.
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The idea of developmental disability is used less formally and with greater variation among countries. The phrase encompasses a wide range of illnesses that manifest in young children, including those that are present from birth, those that are the result of injury to the brain or nervous system, and those that develop slowly over time but have a significant impact on their quality of life.
The Root Causes of Developmental Disabilities and Their Prevalence
The majority of people with developmental disabilities have no clear idea what triggered their condition. Hereditary conditions, prenatal and neonatal difficulties, starvation, sickness, and trauma are only some of the many developmental concerns that can compromise neurological function, and are often linked to developmental disabilities.
Because of variations in diagnostic criteria and reporting practises, estimates of the prevalence of developmental impairments are likewise very subjective. As an illustration, between 2006 and 2008, it was estimated that 1 in 6 American children were living with some form of developmental disability. According to surveys conducted in 2004 and 2005, 7.3% of British youngsters were found to have a disability. In 2009, it was reported that 7.2% of Australian children under the age of 14 were handicapped.
Based on the little epidemiological data available, estimates for the global population range from 5 to 25 cases per thousand. Given the various screening procedures and study populations, as well as the varying risk factors present in other nations, it is logical to expect some degree of heterogeneity. Trauma, infectious infections, and starvation are all major risk factors for developmental impairments, but they tend to be more prevalent in the underdeveloped world than in the developed. Therefore, the greater potential for increased prevalence of developmental impairment in less-developed countries.
What Are Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (IDD)?
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are conditions that usually show up at birth and hurt a person's physical, mental, or emotional growth. Many of these disorders have various effects on different bodily regions or systems.
Intellectual impairment is characterised by both issues in intellectual functioning or intelligence and learning ability and can affect anyone before the age of 18, which includes everyday social and living skills.
The term "developmental disabilities" refers to a broader type of disability that is often lifelong and can be intellectual, muscular, or both.
"IDD" is a phrase that is frequently used to describe a situation involving intellectual impairment and other disabilities.
It may be useful to consider IDDs in terms of the parts of the body or systems they affect, as well as how they arise. As an example:
Nervous system
These illnesses have an impact on how the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system work, which can have an impact on intelligence and learning. These illnesses can also induce behavioural abnormalities, speech or language impairments, seizures, and movement challenges. IDDs associated with nervous system difficulties include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Sensory system
These illnesses impair the senses (sight, hearing, feel, taste, and smell) or the way the brain processes or interprets sensory information. Preterm newborns and infants subjected to viruses such as CMV may experience vision or hearing difficulties. Furthermore, people with ASDs may find it difficult to be hugged or held.
Metabolism
The body's ability to extract nutrients and employ them for development and repair is disrupted by these diseases. Digestion, in which the body digests food, is an example of a metabolic process. Any disruption in these procedures can throw off the body's delicate chemistry. Problems with general brain and body function can result from either an excess of or a deficiency in a given substance. Some examples of metabolic disorders that might result in IDDs are phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism.
Degenerative
Those who suffer from degenerative diseases could appear healthy or even normal right after birth. They can appear to be developing properly at first, but eventually they will start to lose skills, capabilities, and activities due to the condition. Sometimes the symptoms don't show up until the teen or adult years, when the child is well past the age of when they should have been diagnosed. Untreated metabolic issues, for example, can lead to a degenerative ailment.
Depending on who you ask, you can get a somewhat different answer about what constitutes IDD and what kinds of IDD there are.
It's possible that the definition of IDD and the categories of conditions considered IDD in the education context and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a law that seeks to guarantee education opportunities to children with disabilities from across country, are different from the meanings and categories used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to do is provide services and support to people with disabilities.Furthermore, academics and medical professionals may utilise different classifications and definitions.
What Is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual impairment (ID), formerly known as mental retardation, is characterised by below-average intelligence or cognitive aptitude as well as a lack of abilities required for daily living. New skills are learned by people with intellectual disability, but at a more leisurely pace. The spectrum of intellectual disability includes mild, moderate, and severe forms.
A person with an intellectual disability has two restrictions. These are the areas:
- Cognitive functioning. This relates to a person's capacity to learn, think, decide things, and solve issues. It is also known as IQ.
- Behaviors that adapt. These are everyday abilities like being able to speak successfully, connect with others, and take care of oneself.
An IQ test assesses intelligence (intelligence quotient). The average IQ is 100, with the vast majority of people falling anywhere between 85 and 115. If a person's IQ is between 70 and 75, he or she is called intellectually handicapped.
A professional will examine the child's abilities and compare them to other youngsters of the same age to measure the child's adaptive behaviours. Things to look out for include how effectively the child can feed or dress himself; how well the child communicates with and understands people; and the way the child connects with family, friends, and other children his or her age.
It is estimated that approximately 1% of the population suffers from intellectual disability. Approximately 85% of people affected have a modest intellectual handicap. This implies they learn new knowledge or skills a little slower than the normal person. The majority will be able to live freely as adults with the correct help.
What Are The Symptoms Of Childhood Intellectual Disability?
There are numerous indicators of intellectual impairment in children. Signs may occur from infancy or may not become apparent until a child enters school age. It is frequently determined by the extent of the disability. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of intellectual impairment include:
- Lately rolling over, actually sitting, crawling, or walking
- Talking too late or having difficulty speaking
- Potty training, clothing, and feeding himself or herself take time to learn.
- Difficulties remembering details
- Inability to link acts to outcomes
- Problems with behaviour, such as explosive tantrums
- Problem-solving or logical reasoning difficulties
Health issues are not the only thing that can affect a child with a significant or significant intellectual handicap. Seizures, mood disorders (anxiety, autism, etc.), impaired motor abilities, vision impairments, and hearing loss are all examples of the kinds of difficulties that could arise.
What is Developmental Disability?
A developmental disability is defined as a disability caused by mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological handicapping condition closely related to mental retardation and necessitating treatment similar to that required by individuals with mental retardation* if the disability began before the person reached the age of 18, has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant handicap to the person.
Though the legal definition utilises the phrase "mental retardation," a more frequently accepted term is "intellectual disability" in Montana. Impairments in growth and development can manifest in a variety of ways, including difficulties with motor skills, cognitive function, communication, or social skills. About 1,954 Montana preschoolers and 8,416 Montana youths between the ages of 6 and 17 are disabled, according data from the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the United States Census Bureau.
What Causes and Factors Contribute to Developmental Disabilities?
Common causes of developmental disorders include genetic or chromosomal defects, substance exposure, preterm birth, low birth weight, and particular infectious infections. Each of these causative processes can be influenced by 21 environmental toxins.
Environmental Toxicants and Developmental Disabilities
It has been established that genetic mutation, premature birth, and intrauterine retardation are intermediate pathways linking environmental toxicants and developmental disorders.
This article offers a concise review of the early and prenatal life exposures that have been associated with developmental problems. The list of environmental hazards that can harm human health is far from complete; for instance, electromagnetic radiation is not listed.
A "strong" relationship denotes a well-established causal link between both the exposure and the condition, whereas a "good" association denotes a substantial but unproven association in humans.
Vulnerable Populations and Exposure Timing
Think of the human brain's evolution as a pathway that twists and turns, like the one you might take on a hike.
There are a lot of twists and forks in the road. If you have to make a course correction, make it near the end of your voyage rather than the beginning; otherwise, you risk ending up in a completely different location than you had planned.
The effects of any environmental influence on brain development, such as chemical or radioactive exposure, malnutrition, injury, lack of nurturing or stimulation, hormonal imbalance, or anything else, will be greatest in the first few years of life.
This comparison in no way suggests that the "final destination" of the brain's growth after exposure or injury is of lower value than the "normal" or "planned" destination. But in most cases, it's not the same.
A person's exposure outcome may vary greatly depending on their developmental stage at the time of exposure. What could result in serious abnormalities for the developing baby may be completely safe for the adult human body. Generally speaking, the nervous system and brain are more vulnerable to damage throughout early development (embryo, foetus, newborn, child) than at later ages.
Time frames of crucial importance. The World Health Organization defines the critical window of susceptibility as "a sensitive time frame during growth when environmental factors can interact with the physiology of cell, tissue, or organ." Periods of fast cell division and tissue development occur during these windows, and the developing organism lacks many defence mechanisms such as an immune response, a blood-brain barrier, or a DNA repair system.
The Endocrine Disruption Exchange's Critical Window of Development timeline illustrates the potential adverse effects of chemical exposure on the developing nervous system and other organs and systems during specific times during gestation.
Premature Birth and Impaired Fetal Growth
There is a correlation between having multiple complications during pregnancy and having more children with developmental problems. Chemical exposure during pregnancy has been linked to both premature delivery and decreased growth of the fetus (low birth weight and intrauterine retardation of growth. The webpage Reproductive Health Research and Resources has more details on the toxicant causes of premature delivery and stunted foetal growth.
Other Factors (Interacting Factors)
These nutritional, illness, infection, stress, and other factors can all interact with industrial chemicals as well as with one another. Children who are lacking in the nutrients calcium and iron, for example, absorb more lead if exposed to this potent neurotoxin.
Women who are weak in iodine are more prone to the effects of perchlorate, which can negatively affect foetal brain development. Thyroid hormone insufficiency, which prenatal contact to perchlorate contributes to, has been linked to an increased risk of intellectual impairment in children.
Children infected with measles who are also deficient in vitamin A are at increased risk of developing blindness. Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to air pollution and anxiety is more damaging to offspring's intellectual growth than either element alone.
Prenatal lead exposure, as shown in rodent models, may have deleterious effects on the body's stress response system and increase impulsivity.
A study of children from birth to age 7 found that their IQs were lower if they were exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb. However, this was only true if their mothers were poor.
A child's or mother's diet, as well as their exposure to trauma, illness, or infection, all have significant effects on their cognitive growth. Cognitive impairment is exacerbated by poverty, institutional settings, stress, and other unfavourable conditions.
People who live in poverty are more likely to have dangerous jobs, unhealthy air and water, and bad medical care, all of which make disabilities worse.
As we've explored throughout the semester, everyone has their own unique perspective on what a family should be like, their own cultural norms and values, and their own set of beliefs. Everyone is a complex amalgamation of experiences, perspectives, and characteristics that come together to form their individuality. All of a person's unique qualities should be celebrated and cherished, regardless of whether or not they have a developmental handicap.
FAQs About Developmentally Disabled
A variety of conditions are classified as developmental disabilities. Among the most common are intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
ADHD is primarily a neurobiological disorder with a strong hereditary component. It is a developmental disorder affecting the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which controls "executive functions" and other self-regulatory processes—cognitive abilities that allow people to control and orchestrate thoughts and actions.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known.
However, mental illness and developmental disabilities are not the same, although many people with developmental disabilities often experience co-occurring mental disorders. When someone with a developmental disorder also has a mental illness, it's known as a dual diagnosis.
Developmental disabilities cannot be cured. These conditions can, however, be managed, minimized, or sent into remission. The most important aspect of all this is that the conditions of each disability are recognized and addressed as soon as possible.
Conclusion
A developmental disability can be any of a number of conditions that have lasting negative effects on a person's physical, cognitive, or behavioural health. Delays in attaining developmental milestones or absence of function in one or more domains are the most obvious signs of these impairments in infants and young children. Since the original statute, the legal definition in the United States has been revised several times. The majority of people with developmental disabilities have no clear idea what triggered their condition. Hereditary conditions, prenatal and neonatal difficulties, starvation, sickness, and trauma are only some of the many developmental concerns that can compromise neurological function.
Trauma, infectious infections, and starvation are all major risk factors for developmental impairments, but tend to be more prevalent in the underdeveloped world than in the developed. The term "developmental disabilities" (IDD) refers to a broader type of disability that is often lifelong and can be intellectual, muscular, or both. Problems with general brain and body function can result from either an excess of or a deficiency in a given substance. Depending on who you ask, you can get a somewhat different answer about what constitutes IDD and what kinds of IDD there are. Intellectual impairment (ID), formerly known as mental retardation, is characterised by below-average intelligence or cognitive aptitude as well as a lack of abilities required for daily living.
The nervous system and brain are more vulnerable to damage throughout early development (embryo, foetus, newborn, child) than at later ages. Chemical exposure during pregnancy has been linked to both premature delivery and decreased growth of the fetus (low birth weight and intrauterine retardation of growth). There is a correlation between having multiple complications during pregnancy and having more children with developmental problems. A child's or mother's diet, as well as their exposure to trauma, illness, or infection, all have significant effects on their cognitive growth. Women who are weak in iodine are more prone to the effects of perchlorate, which can negatively affect foetal brain development. People who live in poverty are more likely to have dangerous jobs, unhealthy air and water, and bad medical care.
Content Summary
- A developmental disability can be any of a number of conditions that manifest during critical stages of childhood and have lasting negative effects on a person's physical, cognitive, or behavioural health.
- Limitations in function due to abnormalities of the growing nervous system are included in the category of developmental disabilities.
- Delays in attaining developmental milestones or absence of function in one or more domains, such as cognition, motor skills, vision, hearing, speech, and behaviour, are the most obvious signs of these impairments in infants and young children.
- Autism and dyslexia, for example, were added to the list of developmental impairments in the 1975 amendment.
- A non-categorical approach to developmental impairments was a fundamental conceptual change in the 1978 amendment.
- Developmental impairments were characterised in terms of functional limits in main life activity areas rather than diagnoses of specific illnesses (e.g., cerebral palsy or autism).
- The severity, chronicity, and origins before to adulthood criteria remained in the definition.
- Thus, if extensive care and support were not required, a person could have cerebral palsy or autism without being deemed developmentally retarded.
- The government definition of developmental impairment in the United States is more of a statement of concept than a diagnostic benchmark.
- This phrase has several different meanings and is often used as a synonym for "intellectual disability" among diagnostic disability categories (a term that superseded mental retardation).
- The idea of developmental disability is used less formally and with greater variation among countries.
- The majority of people with developmental disabilities have no clear idea what triggered their condition.
- Hereditary conditions, prenatal and neonatal difficulties, starvation, sickness, and trauma are only some of the many developmental concerns that can compromise neurological function, and are often linked to developmental disabilities.
- Because of variations in diagnostic criteria and reporting practises, estimates of the prevalence of developmental impairments are likewise very subjective.
- As an illustration, between 2006 and 2008, it was estimated that 1 in 6 American children were living with some form of developmental disability.
- According to surveys conducted in 2004 and 2005, 7.3% of British youngsters were found to have a disability.
- In 2009, it was reported that 7.2% of Australian children under the age of 14 were handicapped.
- Based on the little epidemiological data available, estimates for the global population range from 5 to 25 cases per thousand.
- Given the various screening procedures and study populations, as well as the varying risk factors present in other nations, it is logical to expect some degree of heterogeneity.
- Trauma, infectious infections, and starvation are all major risk factors for developmental impairments, but they tend to be more prevalent in the underdeveloped world than in the developed.
- Therefore, the greater potential for increased prevalence of developmental impairment in less-developed countries.
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are conditions that usually show up at birth and hurt a person's physical, mental, or emotional growth.
- Many of these disorders have various effects on different bodily regions or systems.
- Intellectual impairment is characterised by both issues in intellectual functioning or intelligence and learning ability and can affect anyone before the age of 18, which includes everyday social and living skills.
- The term "developmental disabilities" refers to a broader type of disability that is often lifelong and can be intellectual, muscular, or both.
- It may be useful to consider IDDs in terms of the parts of the body or systems they affect, as well as how they arise.
- Metabolism The body's ability to extract nutrients and employ them for development and repair is disrupted by these diseases.
- Digestion, in which the body digests food, is an example of a metabolic process.
- Problems with general brain and body function can result from either an excess of or a deficiency in a given substance.
- Some examples of metabolic disorders that might result in IDDs are phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism.
- Degenerative Those who suffer from degenerative diseases could appear healthy or even normal right after birth.
- Untreated metabolic issues, for example, can lead to a degenerative ailment.
- Depending on who you ask, you can get a somewhat different answer about what constitutes IDD and what kinds of IDD there are.
- Furthermore, academics and medical professionals may utilise different classifications and definitions.
- Intellectual impairment (ID), formerly known as mental retardation, is characterised by below-average intelligence or cognitive aptitude as well as a lack of abilities required for daily living.
- New skills are learned by people with intellectual disability, but at a more leisurely pace.
- The spectrum of intellectual disability includes mild, moderate, and severe forms.
- A person with an intellectual disability has two restrictions.
- It is also known as IQ.
- If a person's IQ is between 70 and 75, he or she is called intellectually handicapped.
- A professional will examine the child's abilities and compare them to other youngsters of the same age to measure the child's adaptive behaviours.
- It is estimated that approximately 1% of the population suffers from intellectual disability.
- Approximately 85% of people affected have a modest intellectual handicap.
- This implies they learn new knowledge or skills a little slower than the normal person.
- The majority will be able to live freely as adults with the correct help.
- Lately rolling over, actually sitting, crawling, or walking Talking too late or having difficulty speaking Potty training, clothing, and feeding himself or herself take time to learn.
- Problems with behaviour, such as explosive tantrums Problem-solving or logical reasoning difficultiesHealth issues are not the only thing that can affect a child with a significant or significant intellectual handicap.
- Seizures, mood disorders (anxiety, autism, etc.),
- impaired motor abilities, vision impairments, and hearing loss are all examples of the kinds of difficulties that could arise.
- Though the legal definition utilises the phrase "mental retardation," a more frequently accepted term is "intellectual disability" in Montana.
- Impairments in growth and development can manifest in a variety of ways, including difficulties with motor skills, cognitive function, communication, or social skills.
- Common causes of developmental disorders include genetic or chromosomal defects, substance exposure, preterm birth, low birth weight, and particular infectious infections.
- Each of these causative processes can be influenced by 21 environmental toxins.
- The list of environmental hazards that can harm human health is far from complete; for instance, electromagnetic radiation is not listed.
- A "strong" relationship denotes a well-established causal link between both the exposure and the condition, whereas a "good" association denotes a substantial but unproven association in humans.
- There are a lot of twists and forks in the road.
- If you have to make a course correction, make it near the end of your voyage rather than the beginning; otherwise, you risk ending up in a completely different location than you had planned.
- The effects of any environmental influence on brain development, such as chemical or radioactive exposure, malnutrition, injury, lack of nurturing or stimulation, hormonal imbalance, or anything else, will be greatest in the first few years of life.
- This comparison in no way suggests that the "final destination" of the brain's growth after exposure or injury is of lower value than the "normal" or "planned" destination.
- But in most cases, it's not the same.
- A person's exposure outcome may vary greatly depending on their developmental stage at the time of exposure.
- What could result in serious abnormalities for the developing baby may be completely safe for the adult human body.
- Generally speaking, the nervous system and brain are more vulnerable to damage throughout early development (embryo, foetus, newborn, child) than at later ages.
- These nutritional, illness, infection, stress, and other factors can all interact with industrial chemicals as well as with one another.
- People who live in poverty are more likely to have dangerous jobs, unhealthy air and water, and bad medical care, all of which make disabilities worse.
- As we've explored throughout the semester, everyone has their own unique perspective on what a family should be like, their own cultural norms and values, and their own set of beliefs.
- Everyone is a complex amalgamation of experiences, perspectives, and characteristics that come together to form their individuality.
- All of a person's unique qualities should be celebrated and cherished, regardless of whether or not they have a developmental handicap.
