“It’s Time to Focus on Abilities, Not Disabilities”
– Jason Steen
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!
“Wh” of Developmental Disabilities
Developmental Disability is a term for a group of disorders that are due to cognitive or physical deficits. Additionally, they often develop in the early years of a child’s growth and last throughout life. Likewise, some developmental disabilities are often present at birth. Therefore, they are detected later in life. Hence, the “Wh” of Developmental Disabilities blog will give you an insight.
What are the red flags for Developmental Disabilities?
Delayed Motor Milestones
Achieving head control, sitting, walking later than peers
Delayed Speech and Language Milestones
Speech babble, first words later than peers
Attention deficits and fleeting eye contact
Cognitive deficits
Average learning skills
Average academic skills
Deficits in behavioral functioning
Hearing/ Vision deficits
Read a detailed blog on: 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones
How to check the risk of Developmental Disabilities?
Firstly, every child is observed by his/her pediatrician during the growing stages. Secondly, screening for any delays in growth or red flags in the child’s behavior is very crucial. Additionally, it helps for early detection and treatment. In other words, the earlier the delay is found and addressed the better is the outcome of the treatment.
What are the Developmental Disabilities?
Firstly, there are many developmental disabilities. Here are some of the developmental disabilities:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Cerebral Palsy
Intellectual Disabilities / Specific Learning Disabilities
Congenital Abnormality
Down’s Syndrome
Spoken Language Disorders
Syndromes and Genetic Abnormalities
Learning Disabilities
Central Auditory Processing Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
How is it diagnosed?
Firstly, developmental Disabilities are diagnosed by a team of professionals. Hence, a multi-disciplinary will involve:
Physician/ Medical Practitioner
Developmental Paediatrician
Genetic Counsellor
Speech-Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Psychologist
What are the treatment options?
There is no known cure for developmental disabilities. However, research seems very promising.
In other words, Individualized Programs are the treatment option for developmental disabilities. Therefore, it is based on the disorder. After that, your physician may ask you to go to a specific professional. Furthermore, the professional will help the further growth of your child. Hence, skill-specific programs are tailor-made to suit the child’s needs. In other words, these activities will focus on the functional needs of the child. In conclusion, some of the programs advised may be:
Speech-Language Therapy for communication development
Occupational Therapy for functional growth
Special Education for academic progress
Physical Therapy for motor skills
Medications if required
How to support a person with Developmental Disability?
Therefore, this March 2021, let’s strive to remove barriers. Above all, aim at building a more inclusive community for all persons with developmental disabilities.
We can together build a better world!!
If you wish to know more about Speech Therapy, kindly contact us at info@1specialplace.com
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