1. Chapter 5 Developmental Disabilities: Causes and Classifications

2. 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.

3. Causes of Developmental Differences (continued)
Chromosomal abnormalities are usually biological accidents; that is, they are one-time occurrences and do not affect future pregnancies.

4. 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.

5. Children with Down Syndrome

6. 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

7. Fragile X Syndrome

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Children with Cerebral Palsy

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Children with Hearing Impairments

28. 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.

29. Children with Visual Impairments

30. 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.

31. Children with Speech Impairments

32. Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances

33. Children with Spina Bifida

34. Children with Autism

35. Children with Health Impairments
Sickle cell anemia

36. Boy with Diabetes

37. Dyslexia
ADD

38. A Final Thought on Categories
Each category describes a condition that makes a student eligible for a free and appropriate public education.
To meet the definition, a child’s educational performance must be adversely affected by the disability.
Category does not prescribe the services for a child but a program should be planned based on individual needs.