Developmental Disabilities: Types, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Developmental disabilities are conditions, usually present at birth, that affect how a child grows and develops. They can cause physical, learning, language or behavior problems, and they usually last a lifetime. Learning and everyday tasks may be hard, but early treatment can help a child gain important skills and make the most of their strengths.

Types

Developmental disabilities include:

• learning disabilities, which affect the ability to learn;
• autism spectrum disorder, which affects behavior, communication and social skills;
• cerebral palsy, which affects movement, coordination and balance;
• physical disabilities, such as blindness or deafness; and
• conditions that affect both physical and mental abilities, such as Down syndrome.

Causes

These conditions can arise for different reasons:

• Genetic or chromosome abnormalities, which cause conditions such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome.
• Substance use during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol while pregnant, for example, can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
• Certain infections during pregnancy.
• Preterm birth or low birth weight.

Diagnosis

How a developmental disability is diagnosed depends on the condition. A physical exam or screening tests may look for a medical problem, and other tests and questionnaires can help show whether a child has a developmental disability. These can include:

• screening during pregnancy or of newborns;
• developmental and behavioral screening tests or questionnaires that check whether a child is developing on schedule;
• watching the child's behavior and how they interact with others;
• testing intellectual ability and school performance; and
• asking about family history.

Treatment

There is often no cure, but treatment can ease symptoms. It may include physical, speech and occupational therapy, special teaching methods and psychological counseling. Keeping track of how a child grows and changes over time is part of the care.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Developmental Disabilities" (summary from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development): https://medlineplus.gov/developmentaldisabilities.html