Risk Development

Three Categories of Risk There are three separate categories of risk for developmental delay: 1.Established Risk 2.Biological or Medical Risk 3.Environmental Risk

Established Risk Under IDEA 04 is the requirement that states will provide services for those children with conditions who are at risk for development delay. Some individuals with no developmental delay are still covered by IDEA 04 because it also covers them if they have a “Diagnosed physical or metal condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.” (IDEA 04)

Established Risk Conditions under established risk include: o Fetal Alcohol Syndrome o Down Syndrome o Fragile X o Turner’s Syndrome o Severe Sensory Disturbance o Chromosomal abnormalities o Genetic or congenital disorders o Inborn errors of metabolism o Congenital infections And more not included on this list.

Biological/Medical Risk Under the optional category of ‘at risk’ certain states may serve children three and under who have a history of biological/medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of disability. Examples of these risks are: o Low birth weight o Intraventricular hemmorrhage o Failure to thrive o Chronic lung disease

Biological/ Medical Risk Many biological/medical risk coordinate directly with environmental risks. Low birth weight usually corresponds with poverty. The lower the birth weight of a premature infant, the greater risk there is for developmental delay.

Environmental Risk States may choose to include children who’s care giving circumstances and current family situation puts them at higher risk under the category ‘at risk’. Examples of environmental risk: o Poverty o Homelessness o Family violence o Family instability o Parental substance abuse

Environmental Risk-Poverty Children arrive at school without basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Children may have additional responisbilities like taking care of siblings at an early age. Many children have no or little educational resources at home, including no access to a computer at home. Infants and children often malnourished.

Environmental Risk-Homelessness School aged children face barriers attending school such as limited school supplies, lack of school records, and lack of basic needs. Domestic violence, poverty and lack of affordable housing all contribute to homelessness.

Environmental Risk-Family Violence Witnessing violene iimpacts cognitive, soicla, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children. Self-esttem, lack of empathy, poor concentration, and phobias occur from witnessing family violence. The child becomes more at risk for physical and sexual abuse if they are in a domestic violent home.

Environmental Risk- Family Instability Divorce/ separation inerrupts routines and stability for a child. Typical routines such as brushing one’s teeth, eating, and sleeping may lack stability for the child as they go from parent to parent. Many children are only temporarily effected by this.

Environmental Risk-Substance Abuse Drug an alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to impairments in the language/communication, academic, and social behavioral aspects of the infant. Children born to households with substance abuse are more likely to suffer physical sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect.