Do you think your child is developing much more slowly than their friends? If this is the case, you should be aware of childhood developmental issues.
One of the major problems that you will come across when you have a child is that the child will not be able to speak coherently. If you are wondering why your child is having difficulty speaking then you need to understand that this is a sign of a developmental disorder.
Gradually you will notice that their communication skills will be affected and you will also notice that they will not be able to think clearly. The major challenge that you will come across is that you will not be able to identify the cause of the problem.
Developmental disorders are common among children and if you are a parent you need to be aware of them. This blog will look at some of these developmental disorders and the symptoms that you should be looking out for.
What is a child development disorder?
A child development disorder (CDD) is a condition that affects a person's ability to develop normally. There are several types of CDDs, such as autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual disability.
There are over 300 million children around the world who suffer from some form of developmental delay or disorder. This number has increased dramatically since 2000, and experts believe it's due to better diagnosis and treatment options.
Children with CDDs often struggle socially and academically. They also experience problems with their self-image and relationships. The good news is that they can improve their quality of life through early intervention.
Developmental disorders are conditions that affect a child's ability to grow and develop so that it does not run normally.
There are several types of child development disorders that can occur, including motor, cognitive, language, and other abilities. This disorder can appear before birth or be influenced by various factors, such as injury, trauma, or other medical factors.
If not treated properly, this disorder is feared to persist into adulthood. So, it is important for parents to always monitor the development of their little ones.
Child development is an important part of raising a healthy child. We have to make sure that the child has the right nourishment, education, and guidance to help them grow into well-rounded individuals. If something is not right at the developmental stage then it can lead to long-term problems. Here are some of the developmental disorders in children that you need to be aware of.
Types of developmental disorders in children
Here are the kinds of developmental disorders in children that parents should be aware of.
1. Language and speech disorders
This child's developmental problems make it difficult for him to speak, understand other people's words, or be unable to express his own thoughts.
The signs that can be shown by children with language and speech disorders, namely:
- Can't babble at the age of 3-4 months
- Can't turn around when his name is called at the age of 6-7 months
- Can't say one word, for example, mama or papa, at the age of 1 year
- Can't speak at least 15 words and can only imitate speech by age 2 (echolalia), or doesn't use speech to communicate.
There are a number of causes for this child's growth and development disorders, including exposure to more than one language, dysarthria, hearing loss, and autism spectrum disorders.
2. Motor disorders
Motor skills are divided into two, namely fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are small movements, such as holding a toy or using a crayon.
Meanwhile, the gross motor is a larger movement, such as jumping or throwing a ball.
Examples of cases of child development in motor aspects can be characterized by:
- Does not try to hold objects, cannot support his head well, and does not put objects in his mouth at 3-4 months of age.
- Muscles are stiff or droopy, don't actively reach for objects, have difficulty putting things in their mouth, or can't sit up unaided by 7 months of age.
- Not crawling or dragging on one side of the body when crawling at 1 year of age.
- Couldn't walk, walked on only toes, or couldn't push a wheeled toy by 2 years of age.
Motor disorders in children can be caused by many things, such as ataxia (a disorder of muscle coordination), cerebral palsy (brain paralysis), problems with vision, myopathy, and spina bifida.
3. Learning disorders
Learning disorders can affect how well a child processes information. This child's developmental delay is generally academically related.
A child who has difficulty writing or pronouncing letters upside down while reading may indicate a learning disorder.
There are three common learning disorders in children, namely:
- Dyslexia: A learning disorder that makes it difficult for children to spell, read, or speak clearly.
- Dysgraphia: A learning disorder that causes children to have difficulty writing so that their handwriting is unclear and difficult to read.
- Dyscalculia: Learning disorders in understanding basic mathematics, such as simple arithmetic.
4. Cognitive disorders
This developmental disorder in children affects thinking so it can cause your child to have difficulty with memory, perception, and learning.
Children who have cognitive impairment may show the following signs:
- Not pointing at objects or pictures, not looking for hidden objects, and not focusing on objects at 1 year old
- Does not know the function of commonly used objects, such as toothbrush, comb, or spoon, at 2 years of age. He also can't follow simple instructions or can't imitate actions.
- Cognitive impairment in children can be caused by a number of conditions, namely genetic defects, medical problems, or exposure to harmful toxins in the environment such as lead.
5. Autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate, interact, and behave.
This child development disease can be characterized by the following symptoms:
- Does not point to an object
- Not seeing things when other people point at them
- Avoid eye contact
- Like being alone
- Difficulty connecting, talking or playing with other people
- Difficulty understanding other people or expressing their feelings
- Like not realizing when other people are talking to him
- Often repeats words when speaking
- Shows an unusual reaction to smells, tastes, sounds, or looks.
6. Social and emotional disorders
Children can also experience social and emotional disorders. This disorder can make it difficult for them to interact with others or express themselves.
This child development disorder can be characterized by:
- Not smiling or not paying attention to other people's faces at 3 months of age.
- Does not show interest in parents, does not feel amused when invited to play, does not laugh or scream at 7 months of age.
- Does not respond when his name is called at the age of 1 year.
- Developmental disorders in these children can occur due to neglect by parents, parenting problems, or delayed cognitive abilities.
7. Intellectual disorders
Intellectual disorders are different from learning disorders. This disorder is related to IQ, where a child has a low capacity to reason, learn, and apply skills.
The main characteristic of intellectual disability is having a lower than average IQ so it affects their daily lives. The condition can occur along with other developmental disorders.
8. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that causes children to have difficulty paying attention and have hyperactive behavior so it can have an impact on their learning achievement at school.
Symptoms of ADHD can be characterized by not being able to sit still, interrupting conversations frequently, being forgetful and easily distracted, unable to wait their turn, and having difficulty completing tasks. As a result, children like to be considered naughty.
9. Physical disorders
Developmental problems in children can also affect their physical appearance. These conditions can be seen clearly, such as physical differences that require the child to use a wheelchair or conditions that are not visible, such as changes in brain structure.
Examples of physical disorders in child development are cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy (muscle disorders), and spina bifida (neural tube defects).
10. Visual disturbance
Good eyesight can help children get a variety of useful information for their growth and development.
However, there are some visual disturbances that can occur in children, such as:
- Farsighted
- Nearsighted
- lazy eyes
- Double vision
- Cockeye
- Difficulty focusing vision
- Visual processing dysfunction
- Difficulty with hand-eye coordination.
11. Hearing loss
Children can also experience hearing loss. This condition can range from mild to severe and can occur when there is a problem with the ear (inner, middle, or outer) or the nerves needed to hear.
Hearing loss that is not treated properly can hinder a child's verbal, social, and emotional development.
Impact of developmental disorders in adulthood
The impact of developmental disorders on children in adulthood depends on the type and severity of the disorder. Some disorders can be overcome with proper treatment as early as possible.
Meanwhile, some other disorders require children to adapt to these conditions. This can have an impact on his life in adulthood.
The impact of developmental disorders on children in adulthood can affect:
- Education
- Work
- Connection
- independence.
Symptom control and support programs can help adults with developmental disorders find jobs, maintain relationships, and be more independent in their daily lives.
How to deal with developmental disorders in children
Disorders of growth and development in children are generally diagnosed as early as possible when showing symptoms.
Parents may wonder why their child can't walk yet or has a limited vocabulary compared to other kids his age.
If your child shows symptoms of a developmental disorder, you should immediately consult a pediatrician. The treatment given will be tailored to the developmental disorders that occur in children.
For example, physical therapy can help with motor skills. On the other hand, behavioral therapy and education can be done to treat other disorders.
In some cases, drugs are also prescribed so that the child can be released from the disorder he is experiencing.
In addition, parents must be able to control their emotions and fully support their children. Set a structured lifestyle and make consistent rules.
