Developmental Disorders Paper

Cerebral palsy occurs when there is lack of oxygen to a baby’s brain when being delivered. This causes brain damage which can then cause problems when trying to reach development norms. Cerebral palsy affects a child’s

Chapter 1 focuses on autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Described in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner, autism (also known as autistic disorder, childhood autism, or infantile disorder) is one of the PDDs along with Rett's disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) referred to as Heller's syndrome, Asperger disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Rett's is a rare genetic abnormality affecting brain development in girls. There are treatments available, but there is no known cure. Asperger disorder affects an individual's ability to socialize and communicate effectively. Individuals with Asperger disorder may be socially awkward and have a compulsive

Autism is defined as the brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood. Autism affects three areas of human development: (1) verbal and nonverbal communication, (2) social interaction, and (3) creative or imaginative play. Autism is considered a severe disorder and developmental disability that prevents individuals from properly understanding what they see, hear and sense. The cause of autism remains unknown. Current theories indicate a problem with the function or structure of the central nervous system. This essay overviews the history of autism and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It provides an idea of the population and causes of autism. It takes about the program services and the current operational issues related to autism.

The word “cerebral” means the brain and the word “palsy” means muscle weakness and poor control. Children or adults can be born with Cerebral Palsy or might be diagnosed later in life. The disorder may occur during the woman’s pregnancy, child’s birth, or after the child

Cerebral Palsy is a term that is used to broadly describe a group of chronic palsies, which are disorders that impair movement control due to past damage of the developing brain. Cerebral Palsy usually develops at a young age, 2 or 3, and is a non progressive brain disorder. Non progressive means that the brain itself is not damaged anymore over time, however the symptoms from the damage already there could change drastically over time either for better or for worse.

With the rate of autism being diagnosed on the rise, the amount of research and interest in the disorder has risen as well. Some research suggests that over the past two decades the occurrence of autism has increased from approximately 2-5 per 10,000 births to about 1-5 per 1,000 births (Acosta & Pearl, 2004; Fatemi et al., 2012). Still others report that the occurrence is as high as 1 in 150 kids (Amaral, Schumann, & Nordhal, 2008). Even though the spectrum of autistic disorders has been studied since 1943, there have still not been any consistent nor persuasive causes or markers, either biological or clinical, identified with autism and its range of disorders (Santangelo & Tsatsanis, 2005). In fact, even with all of the advancements in genetic research technology and the increasing interest in autism, researchers can still only account for approximately 5-15% of autistic cases (Rogers et al., 2013).

Neurodevelopmental disorders include the following main categories: intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorder, motor disorders, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders typically present in the early developmental period, but may continue into adulthood or may not be diagnosed at onset (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). A breakdown of these disorders provides necessary details that create distinctions within groups as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition; DSM-5; APA, 2013).

Every year, approximately four million children are born in the United States; in those four million children, “one and five children are born with or will have a childhood disorder” (U.S. Department of Human Health and Services, 2015). Childhood disorders range from attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism, however, these are only a couple well-known disorders. Be that as it may, some individuals are dysfunctional from the myelination, limited working memory or selective attention, all of which can contribute or be linked to ADHD and autism, hence the executive function of individuals are affected by these disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a class of NDD affecting mostly males, which are largely idiopathic and display extensive variation in terms of phenotype, severity and degree of heritability [2]. It is postulated that the pathology of ASD is the result of a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, which disturb the developing brain [1]. ASD commonly involve deficits in social interaction and cognition, language, emotional learning and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviours [1, 3, 4]. The brains of autistic children display reductions in long distance connectivity, abnormally regulated apoptosis and cell division, and increased inflammation [4].Additional studies have demonstrated gliosis, abnormal neuronal migration and

Cerebral Palsy, for those who don't know, is a disability that is caused by abnormal development of damage to part of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. These problems mostly occur during pregnancy, however it has been known to occur during childbirth and shortly after birth. The disability itself is when a young child (the individual will have this condition forever, the symptoms are just noticed when they're young and growing) has weak muscles and tremors. There may also be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking. Often babies with Cerebral Palsy do not sit, roll over, or walk as young as some children. Seizures happen in 1/3 children with Cerebral Palsy. My sister is lucky enough not to get seizures, but it does effect others.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are numerous neurological disorders, which are generally referred to as cerebral palsy. This condition affects muscle coordination, movement, posture and muscle tone. Cerebral palsy typically manifests during infancy or in early childhood.

Autism, like schizophrenia and mood disorders, includes many syndromes (Insel 2). Indeed, we should probably speak of the "autisms." Some of these autism's are single gene disorders, such as Fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, and Rett syndrome (Insel 3). While these rare genetic disorders account for less than 5 percent of children within the autism spectrum, children with any of these disorders are at high risk for autism, roughly a 30-fold higher risk than the general population and higher than any of the other known risk factors (Insel 3). Recent genomics research has discovered that many children diagnosed within the autism spectrum have other genetic mutations that have not yet been designated as named syndromes (Insel 4). Each of these mutations is rare, but in aggregate they may account for 10-20 percent or more of what we have been calling the autisms. Genetics will not identify the environmental factors, but it may reveal some of the many syndromes within the autism spectrum (as in other neurodevelopmental disorders), it can define risk (as in other medical disorders), and it should yield clues to the biology of autism (revealing potential targets for new treatments). In parallel we need to find environmental factors, recognizing that there will be many causes for the autisms and many roads to find them (Insel 3). Finally, an unavoidable insight from these new papers is that autism even when genetic may be

Cerebral Palsy hereinafter referred to as (“CP”) is a congenital disorder (existing at or before birth). It is a permanent condition which impairs muscle coordination, tone and movement. CP usually is caused by brain injury or malformation which happens before and/or during a baby’s birth as well as during the first three to five years of a child’s life. There are four types of brain damage which

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a motor disorder. The condition is characterized primarily by “lack of co-ordination/poor co-ordination,” “motor-difficulties/impairment,” “planning difficulties,” and “organizational difficulties” (Kirby, Davies, & Bryant, 2005, p. 124). DSM-IV-TR criteria for Developmental Coordination Disorder includes: (1) “marked impairment in the development of motor coordination,” (2) “significant interfere[nce] with academic achievement or activities of daily living,” and (3) the absence of “a general medication condition” or “Pervasive Developmental Disorder” (Lingam, Hunt, Golding, Jongmans, Emond, 2009, p. e695). Furthermore, in the

The neurodevelopmental disorders, according to the DSM 5, are a group of conditions with onset in the developmental period. The disorders typically manifest early in development, often before the child enters grade school, and are characterized by developmental deficits that produce impairments of personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is newly classified as such; it was once classified as “Asperger’s Syndrome.” ASD is a severe neurodevelopmental impairment. The disorder limits the functioning capabilities of children and their capacity to communicate as well as interact with others. ASD effects how children perceive the world around them; socializing with others happens to be the most vital piece of development. Onset for ASD can occur as early as infancy, some children, however, may develop normal and then begin to suddenly withdraw and become unusually aggressive with those around them, they also begin to lose vocabulary and language skills they’ve once had. Other medical conditions may be comorbid with ASD; for example, epilepsy, intellectual and structural language disorders, mental disorders, sleep disorders, and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorders, (DSM 5, pg. 59).