Developmental disorders are medical conditions that affect a person’s ability to move, think, learn, communicate, maintain relationships, or behave in expected ways. Symptoms of these conditions usually begin in childhood. Some developmental disorders last throughout a person’s life, while others improve or disappear as children get older.
In most cases, these disorders can’t be cured. However, strategies can help children and their families learn to manage them.
Developmental disorders can have an impact on your child’s physical characteristics. For example, your toddler may not grow or move in expected ways.
Some developmental disorders can affect the way your child thinks or learns. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may cause your child to have a hard time focusing on particular things, be disorganized, or act impulsively. Autism may cause your child to be unusually reliant on routines or leave them unable to communicate in expected ways. Intellectual disabilities can make it hard for a child to learn or think through problems.
Anxiety is a developmental disorder that can affect your child’s mental health, causing them to become very afraid of certain objects or situations, avoid interacting with other people, or act irritable or fidgety.
Your child’s behaviour may be affected if they have a condition like conduct disorder, which causes them to ignore rules and social expectations and act aggressively.
Developmental disorders may begin during pregnancy or childhood. They can be triggered by injuries, genes, other medical conditions, or other unknown factors.
Your paediatrician will track your child’s development to see if they are growing and gaining new abilities as expected. The doctor may compare your child’s behaviours to developmental milestones that describe the age at which children tend to develop certain skills. For example, many children react to loud noises at the age of two months, laugh by the time they are six months old, and start walking while holding on to objects at the age of twelve months.
Not all children develop at the same rates. Some healthy children develop more slowly than usual in certain areas, so your child doesn’t necessarily have a developmental disorder just because they aren’t growing or developing as quickly as you expect. However, talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Some treatment plans involve medication. For example, medication can lessen the symptoms of anxiety or ADHD.
Different types of therapy can also help your child learn new skills:
Other aids may also help your child be more successful. For example, a wheelchair could allow your child to move around more easily. You may be able to work with your child’s school to figure out ways to get their physical, intellectual, or behavioural needs met within the classroom.
The early diagnosis and treatment of developmental disorders can help your child gain some of the skills they need and learn how to adapt to their condition.