Developmental concerns include delays or abnormal patterns of development in the areas of communication/language, motor skills, problem-solving or social and adaptive behavior. These concerns are usually based on comparison to other children the same age.

By having positive relationships with parents, you can ensure children’s safety and emotional well-being too. Effective communication and a strong sense of trust will help the settling-in process and any other transitions for the child.

Nurturing emotional relationships are the most crucial primary foundation for both intellectual and social growth. At the most basic level, relationships foster warmth, intimacy, and pleasure; furnish security, physical safety, and protection from illness and injury; and supply basic needs for nutrition and housing.

Doctors use milestones to tell if a toddler is developing as expected….Social and Emotional Development

• enjoys peekaboo, pat-a-cake, and other social games.
• likes being read to and looking at picture books.
• cries when you leave the room.
• feels proud when gaining a new skill like standing, walking, etc.

The Five Areas of Development is a holistic approach to learning that strives to break down the silos in education and ensure the development of a learner in all Five areas of Development – Cerebral, Emotional, Physical, Social and Spiritual.

Children’s nature-their genes, personal characteristics, and behavioral tendencies-interact with nurture they receive from parents, teachers, peers, the broader society, and the physical environment in ways that shape their self-esteem, intellect, and other qualities.

Specific Types Developmental Disabilities

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Cerebral Palsy.
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
• Fragile X Syndrome.
• Hearing Loss.
• Intellectual Disability.
• Kernicterus.

There are four main types of developmental disorders: nervous system disabilities, sensory related disabilities, metabolic disabilities and degenerative disorders. Many different subsets of disabilities nest under these four main groups.

Signs and Symptoms of Developmental Delay

• Learning and developing more slowly than other children same age.
• Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking much later than developmentally appropriate.
• Difficulty communicating or socializing with others.
• Lower than average scores on IQ tests.

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. 1.

The most common developmental disability is intellectual disability. Cerebral palsy is the second most common developmental disability, followed by autism spectrum disorder. Other developmental disabilities may include: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Examples of developmental disabilities include autism, behavior disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, intellectual disability, and spina bifida.

There are many signs of an Intellectual Disability. For example, children may:

1. Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children.
2. Learn to talk later or have trouble speaking.
3. Have trouble understanding social rules.
4. Have trouble seeing the consequences of their actions.
5. Have trouble solving problems.

Lower than average scores on IQ tests. Difficulties talking or talking late. Having problems remembering things. Inability to connect actions with consequences.

Developmental Characteristics Related to Level of Mental Retardation (DSM-IV Criteria)

Disciplining Your Child With Special Needs

1. Be Consistent. The benefits of discipline are the same whether kids have special needs or not.
2. Learn About Your Child’s Condition.
3. Defining Expectations.
4. Use Rewards and Consequences.
5. Use Clear and Simple Messages.
6. Offer Praise.
7. Establish a Routine.
8. Believe in Your Child.

The most common causes of intellectual disability are:

• Genetic conditions. These include things like Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
• Problems during pregnancy.
• Problems during childbirth.
• Illness or injury.
• None of the above.

Fragile X is the most common known cause of inherited (genetic) intellectual disability.

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas . These conditions begin during development in youth. The term developmental disability encompasses people with intellectual disabilities but also includes physical disabilities.

In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the APA replaced “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder).” The APA included the parenthetical name “(intellectual developmental disorder)” to indicate that the diagnosed deficits …

Down’s syndrome is the most common specific cause of mental retardation, followed by the Fragile X syndrome, which mainly affects boys.

7 Tips to Prevent Mental Retardation

1. Find Out About Down Syndrome.
2. Promptly Treat Phenylketonuria (PKU)
3. Abstain From Alcohol During Pregnancy.
4. Help Your Kid Avoid Lead Poisoning.
5. Stay Healthy During Pregnancy.
6. Report Child Abuse and Neglect.