Developmental Disorders
When a child is born with a developmental disability, sometimes called a birth defect, it means there is a chronic condition that will be a life-long challenge. Down syndrome; autism; and language, learning, vision or hearing problems are a few developmental disabilities. While these disabilities are typically present at birth, they can begin at any time up to age 22.
Recently Answered
- Q What should I do if I think my child has a learning disability?
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Internal MedicineThere are a few steps you can take. You might: Discuss how your child is doing in school with his teacher. Ask your child's pediatrician how your child is developing. Consider an educational evaluation. Think about having a full medical evaluation by... Full Answer
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- Q What should I do if my child shows signs of developmental delay?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyParents should voice their concerns and observations to their child's physician when developmental delays first cross their minds, and docs should use developmental surveillance as part of routine pediatric care. This includes taking a careful... Full Answer
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- Q Which specialists can help my child with developmental issues?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineIf you and your doctor do determine that your child has some developmental issues, you may be referred to a medical specialist (pediatric neurologist or developmental-behavioral pediatrician) or psychological specialist to determine a diagnosis... Full Answer
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- Q How can I tell if my child has a speech delay?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyIf something doesn't quite feel right, see if your child has any of these speech delay characteristics. The basic rules of thumb are that a child should be saying at least one word (however unclearly) by twelve months of age; at least twenty... Full Answer
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- Q What is the prognosis for developmental dyspraxia?
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Developmental dyspraxia is a lifelong disorder. Many individuals are able to compensate for their disabilities through occupational and speech therapy. This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and... Full Answer
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- Q Is there any treatment for developmental dyspraxia?
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Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and may include occupational and speech therapy and "cueing" or other forms of communication such as using pictures and hand gestures. Many children with the disorder require special education. This answer is based... Full Answer
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- Q What is developmental dyspraxia?
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Developmental dyspraxia is a disorder characterized by impairment in the ability to plan and carry out sensory and motor tasks. Generally, individuals with the disorder appear "out of sync" with their environment. Symptoms vary and may include poor... Full Answer
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- Q What is developmental expressive language disorder?
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Some children with language impairments have problems expressing themselves in speech. Their disorder is called, therefore, a developmental expressive language disorder. A child who often calls objects by the wrong names has an expressive language... Full Answer
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- Q What is developmental receptive language disorder?
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Some people have trouble understanding certain aspects of speech. It's as if their brains are set to a different frequency and the reception is poor. There's the toddler who doesn't respond to his name, a preschooler who hands you a bell when you asked... Full Answer
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- Q What is apraxia?
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Apraxia (called "dyspraxia" if mild) is a neurological disorder characterized by the loss of the ability to execute or carry out skilled movements and gestures, despite having the desire and the physical ability to perform them. Apraxia results from... Full Answer
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