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.

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QWhat is the best way to communicate with people with disabilities?

3 Answers

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A Challenge America answered
Use the following tips for communicating with people with disabilities:

When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter.

Use "person-first language" such as "person with a disability." Avoid the terms "handicapped," "disabled" and "impaired."

When introduced to a person with a disability, offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands.

When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

It is okay to offer assistance, and it is often welcome. If the offer is accepted, listen to or ask for instructions.

Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulders.

Leaning on or hanging on to a person's wheelchair is similar to leaning on or hanging on to a person and is generally considered annoying. The chair is part of the personal body space of the person who uses it.

Listen attentively when you're talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you heard and allow the person to respond.

When speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair or a person who uses crutches, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.

To get the attention of a person who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to determine if the person can read lips. For those who do lip read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself so that you face the light source.

Treat others as you would wish to be treated: with respect and consideration.
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QWhat is developmental receptive language disorder?

1 Answer

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A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

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 for a ball, or the worker who consistently can't follow simple directions. Their hearing is fine, but they can't make sense of certain sounds, words, or sentences they hear. They may even seem inattentive. These people have a receptive language disorder. Because using and understanding speech are strongly related, many people with receptive language disorders also have an expressive language disability.
Of course, in preschoolers, some misuse of sounds, words, or grammar is a normal part of learning to speak. It's only when these problems persist that there is any cause for concern.
QWhat is developmental expressive language disorder?

1 Answer

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A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

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 disorder. Of course, an expressive language disorder can take other forms. A 4-year-old who speaks only in two-word phrases and a 6-year-old who can't answer simple questions also have an expressive language disability.
QWhat are developmental disabilities?

1 Answer

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A RealAge answered

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in six children in the US have at least one developmental disability or delay. Developmental disabilities are conditions that are due to problems with physical development, learning, language or behavior. Some examples are: autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Tourette's syndrome and vision loss. These problems can impact a child's daily activities and life. The disability and impact may also last into adulthood. Talk to your pediatrician about screening, diagnosis and treatment. Many schools also offer critical resources, from screening to day-to-day classroom and learning support.
QWhat is developmental dyspraxia?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Center for Neurosciences answered

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 balance and coordination, clumsiness, vision problems, perception difficulties, emotional and behavioral problems, poor social skills, poor posture, poor short-term memory, and difficulty in reading, writing, and speaking. Although individuals with the disorder may be of average or above average intelligence, they may behave immaturely.
This information is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.