A developmental disorder is a psychological or neurological condition in children and adults that represents an abnormality in normal development. These disorders also occur in adults. Sometimes the symptoms arise in response to a shocking experience, in other cases the disorder is genetically determined or a physical illness. Environmental and upbringing factors also play a role. Oxygen deficiency at birth can also be a cause of a developmental disorder.
Developmental disorders in children
Developmental disorders can resolve over time. In about fifty percent of cases they never go away. The various disorders are classified into groups based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) . DSM-IV is a classification system published by the American Psychiatric Association. This is used as standard in psychiatric research worldwide. The DSM-IV distinguishes the following groups of developmental disorders:
- mental retardation
- learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia
- motor disorders, such as DCD
- communication disorders, such as stuttering
- pervasive developmental disorders such as Asperger’s, Rett syndrome or classic autism
- attention and behavioral disorders, such as ADHD, CD or ODD
- eating disorders in childhood
- tic disorders, such as Tourette’s syndrome
- disorders in excretion
- other disorders in childhood or adolescence, such as separation anxiety, attachment disorders or selective mutism
Developmental disorders occur in varying degrees. Also, not all described characteristics of a disorder occur in an individual child. For example, not every child with dyslexia will make many writing errors. Each child shows his own characteristics. The negative effects of these characteristics can be limited through good support and guidance.
Disorders almost never occur alone. This then involves co-morbidity: the simultaneous occurrence of different disorders. For example, fifteen percent of children with ADHD also have PDD-NOS.
In many cases, attention is mainly focused on the negative aspects of the child with a disorder. It is important to also and especially look at the positive sides. For example, children with Asperger’s often have great general development.
The diagnose
Extensive research is carried out to determine whether there is a developmental disorder. Diagnostics can be divided into three types of diagnoses:
- classifying diagnosis
- explanatory diagnosis
- action-oriented diagnosis
The classifying diagnosis determines whether the child has a specific disorder. This diagnosis is made on the basis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV of the American Psychiatry Association.
The explanatory diagnosis looks at the causes of certain problems experienced by the child or the environment.
The action-oriented diagnosis looks at how the child’s problems can be solved effectively. The best form of education and/or assistance is being sought.
The treatment
Various treatments are possible. It depends on what kind of developmental delay it is. The child can be treated by, among others, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a physiotherapist or a psychologist. Medication is also effective in some cases. If the child suffers from a serious developmental disorder, it is very helpful for the parents to receive support in accepting this.
read more
- Developmental disorders in children: ADHD, PDD-NOS and NLD
- What is Autism?
- Children with ADD
- Children with NLD
- The family: change and development