©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter 5 Developmental Disabilities: Causes and Classifications

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences Biological factors –Biological insult refers to interference with or damage to an individual’s physical structure or functioning. –Genetic disorders resulting in abnormal biological development may be caused by deviations in chromosomal structure or by abnormal single genes.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) –Chromosomal abnormalities are usually biological accidents; that is, they are one-time occurrences and do not affect future pregnancies.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Down Syndrome –This condition is caused by three number 21 chromosomes. –It is recognizable by a flat face, upturned eyes, small ears, short stature, and the simian crease. –Heart and intestinal abnormalities are common.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Down Syndrome

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Fragile X Syndrome –Caused by a break on the X chromosome present in males –Sex-linked disorder given to sons by their mothers –Characterized by large ears, language delays, autism-like behaviors, hyperactivity, and delayed motor development

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Fragile X Syndrome

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What is Fragile X Syndrome? Fragile X Syndrome is the leading cause of genetically inherited mental impairment. Symptoms range from mild learning disabilities to severe mental retardation and autism. Challenging behaviors, social anxiety, and speech and language delays are common traits

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Metabolic disorders –These cause a breakdown somewhere in the complex chemical activities needed to metabolize food. –The breakdown can destroy, damage, or alter cells. –Metabolic disorders are single-gene defects, such as PKU.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Abnormal gene disorders –Tay-Sachs, an accumulation of fatty tissues around the brain that eventually leads to death. –Cystic fibrosis, a buildup of mucus in the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. –Breakthrough medical treatments are now helping these individuals live longer and more productive lives.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Cerebral Palsy

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Abnormal gene disorders (continued) –Sickle-cell anemia, the red blood cells are not formed correctly, making it difficult to navigate the bloodstream. It is often accompanied by joint pain and ulcers. –Duchenne muscular distrophy, present in males where the muscles deteriorate.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Prenatal infections and intoxicants –Rubella—can lead to devastating lifelong and severe disabilities. –CMV—at birth these children appear normal. Later in life, they develop mental retardation, deafness, and diseases of the eye. –Herpes simplex—results in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Prenatal infections and intoxicants (continued) –AIDS—passed to the unborn child through the birth canal or breast milk—leaves a child’s immune system helpless to fight off disease. –Diabetes—maternal diabetes can leave devastating effects on the child. –Toxemia—women who experience toxemia often deliver the baby prematurely, leading to later complications.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Prenatal infections and intoxicants (continued) –Alcohol and other drugs have been proven to lead to birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effect.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Maternal malnutrition and protein deficiency –Lack of protein during the first trimester can lead to immature development of the brain and nervous system. –It can also lead to small babies that are born prematurely.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Birth complications –Lack of oxygen to the brain—anoxia can occur. –Premature babies can suffer hemorrhaging. –C-sections may need to be performed if the life of the mother or infant is in danger.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued) Complications following birth –Meningitis—a virus or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and the spinal column— can lead to brain damage. –Encephalitis—swelling of the brain—can also lead to brain damage. –Lead poisoning—poisoning from lead found in lead-based paint and older homes.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Poverty Nutritional deficiency –Children living in poverty have inadequate nutrition. –WIC was designed to eliminate some of the counter effects of poverty. –WIC provides funds to pregnant mothers and then their newborn to purchase healthy foods.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Poverty (continued) Inadequate health care and education –Living in poverty, many women do not seek out prenatal care, leaving themselves open for premature labor and other complications. –Regular medical checkups are also good for the newborn child. –Without health insurance, good care is not always possible, so immunizations fall behind.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Poverty (continued) Homelessness and substandard housing –Living in these conditions can cause health problems by being exposed to contaminants in the environment. Single-Parent Families –Single mothers in particular tend to work multiple jobs, leaving their children unattended or with little supervision.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Poverty (continued) Child Care –Quality child care can combat the effects of poverty, but people living in poverty cannot often afford quality. –Centers need to offer the best with what they have, making quality available to all.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Poverty (continued) Combating poverty –Early intervention and care can eliminate some of the effects of poverty and give children the chance to be successful in life.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Classification of Developmental Disabilities To receive funding, children must be categorized. The following are categories approved by the federal government: –Specific learning disabilities, having a deficit between IQ and ability –Speech and language disorders, having difficulty with receptive or expressive language

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Classification of Developmental Disabilities (continued) –Mental retardation—IQ is 70 or below, and there are significant delays in other areas of development as well. –Emotional disorders—children have difficulty controlling behavior and reading emotional cues. –Multiple disabilities—a combination of one or more disabilities.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Classification of Developmental Disabilities (continued) –Hearing loss—a hearing loss so severe that individuals cannot process spoken language, even with hearing aids or other forms of amplification. –Orthopedic impairments—a child has limited use of the limbs. –Health impairments—the child has difficulty maintaining developmental milestones due to health problems.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Hearing Impairments

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Classification of Developmental Disabilities (continued) –Visual impairments—the children’s vision is so poor that they cannot use that sense to learn from their environment. –Combined vision and hearing loss—a child has loss of both vision and hearing and incurs learning difficulties form them. –Autism—a child retreats into “his or her own world,” language often stops, and the child begins to turn inward.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Visual Impairments

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Classification of Developmental Disabilities (continued) –Traumatic brain injury—this category of injuries (either open- or closed-wound) to the head cause tearing of the nerve fibers, bruising of the brain against the skull, or bruising of the brain stem.

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Speech Impairments

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Spina Bifida

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Autism

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Children with Health Impairments Sickle cell anemia

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Boy with Diabetes

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Dyslexia ADD