According to the Institute on Community Integration, in 2021 there was an estimated 8.56 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the US. During March, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month invites us to pause, recognize, and shine light on individuals whose developmental differences shape their daily lives. Overall, this month serves as a reminder to the importance of understanding, early awareness, and support.
Understanding Developmental Disabilities
Not all developmental challenges mean the same thing. It is important to note that there is a vast distinction between developmental delays and developmental disabilities.
Delays appear when a child is not reaching their milestones as expected. These delays can arise in all different aspects including motor skills, communication, or learning. Developmental delays are typically short term, however, when they become long term, this may indicate something more serious.
In contrast to delays, a developmental disability is a chronic condition that an individual will not outgrow. According to the CDC, developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. Most developmental disabilities occur prior to birth; however, some can occur after birth due to injury, infection, or other factors.
Type of Developmental Disabilities
There is a wide range of developmental disabilities. Some of the most common developmental disabilities are:
Autism Spectrum Disorder – A neurological and developmental disorder that affects an individual’s communication, learning, behavior, and interaction with others. Symptoms typically appear within the first 2 years of life.
Cerebral Palsy – A neurological disorder characterized by abnormal brain development which affect motor functions. Typically, a child is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in their first or second year of life. However, if symptoms are mild a diagnosis could come later.
Down Syndrome – Occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. This leads to differences of development in the body and brain often causing distinct physical characteristics. A child with Down syndrome can be detected during pregnancy and diagnosed within 24 hours of birth.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – Can occur when a child is exposed to alcohol before birth. A child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can have a range of symptoms including behavior, learning, and physical problems. Receiving a diagnosis for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can come within a few weeks to a few years. Observation of physical and development growth is key for a diagnosis.
Developmental Surveillance and Screenings
Taking advantage of developmental surveillance and screening can play a vital role in catching developmental disabilities and delays as quickly as possible. Developmental surveillance is recommended take place at all primary care visits for children by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP also recommends special attention to visit at 4 and 5 years old prior to elementary school.
During the surveillance your physician can assess risks. If risks are present, they may order a proper developmental screening with specially validated tools to further assess the risk concern.
Additionally, formal screenings should be performed at 9, 18, and 30 months for general development. At 18 and 24 months it is recommended that a child receives an autism screening.
Components of developmental surveillance:
- Eliciting parental concerns about development
- Documenting and maintaining developmental history
- Making accurate observations
- Identifying risk factors
- Maintaining and documenting process and finings
- Sharing opinions and findings with other professionals
Treatments
Catching a developmental disability early can play a huge difference in treatment. The earlier it is discovered, the more effective treatments can be due to the plasticity of the brain. When young, your brain grows at a rapid rate allowing fast neural connections to be made. The longer you wait to begin treatment, the harder it will become to improve.
There are a variety of different treatment options for developmental disabilities. These treatments can help with a variety of symptoms seen by children experiencing a developmental disability. Depending on what obstacles your child is facing, you may explore one or more of the following:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Behavioral therapy
These are just a handful of the options available for developmental disabilities. Using a tailored approach often with a combination of therapies typically delivers the best results.
Annual Visits Importance to Early Detection
Having your child attend their wellness visit will play a vital role in catching these delays early. During these routine evaluations, it is common for pediatricians to identify developmental delays. These visits typically consist of monitoring growth, tracking milestones, vaccines, and addressing any additional concerns. These visits should assist with the best overall health and wellbeing of your child.
Southwest Health has four family medicine clinics, located in Platteville, Cuba City, Darlington, and Kieler. Pediatricians such as Dr. Jason currently see patients from birth to early adulthood.Dr. Jason is very compassionate and cares deeply about his patients. He advocates for his patients and withholds judgements to create a safe space where you can voice your concerns for your child.