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Nov 19, 2021 · Developmental disorders, sometimes referred to as childhood disorders, are physical or brain-based conditions that affect a child’s progress as they grow and develop necessary life skills....
- What Are Neurodevelopmental Disorders?
- Types
- Prevalence
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Treatment
- Family Impact
- A Word From Verywell
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) are types of disorder that influence how the brain functions and alters neurological development, causing difficulties in social, cognitive, and emotional functioning. The most common NDs are autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Many NDs are not as well known or widely studied.
NDs usually onset during stages of development which makes them most present in toddlers, children, and adolescents, but continue to persist into adulthood, or may go undiagnosed until one is an adult. There are instances in which a child outgrows the symptoms associated with an ND.
There are many different types of NDs, below are a few of the most prevalent ones;
•Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD)
•Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
•Cerebral palsy
•Communication disorders
•Conduct disorders
NDs are more prevalent in males than females. This gender difference may be due to genetics, biology, and risk factors. Although NDs, like ASD, are more present in males, researchers determined not much of a gender difference in symptoms.
Comorbidity of other conditions is highly likely in individuals with NDs and it is also common for an individual to be diagnosed with multiple NDs. A study that explored the comorbidity of NDs with mental disorders in children ages 7 through 12, determined that of those with NDs, some had coexisting psychiatric disorders or were diagnosed with multiple NDs. The study included 407 boys and girls. After parent interviews, it was determined that 55% of the children were diagnosed with at least one ND.
Of the 181 participants with ADHD, almost 40% did not have a comorbid condition, 26% did however have an anxiety disorder, while others had a variety of other conditions. There appeared to be only 18 children with ASD, and of these boys and girls, 36% also had ADHD, 44% had a tic disorder (TD), 36% had an anxiety disorder, and the others had a variety of other conditions or no comorbidity.
Although more boy participants were diagnosed with an ND, a greater number of girls with an ND had additional comorbid disorders. This study does have its limitations: a large one being that the only measure of the evaluation was parental interviews, which only consisted of just one interview at that.
Symptoms of NDs are dependent on the ND, but general descriptions usually consist of impairments with the following;
•Memory
•Language
•Behavior
•Motor skills
•Learning
The concrete cause of NDs is not yet clear. There are various possible reasons for the onset of NDs. From the research that does exist on the cause of NDs, it is prevalent that both biology and environment play a role. Predispositions like genetics and hormones can be triggered by risk factors such as stress, illness, or trauma.
Epigenetics is an important factor in the development of conditions like NDs. Epigenetics is when an individual’s environment and behavior can alter DNA and how genes operate within the body. Early childhood experiences, like trauma, neglect, or toxic environments, have recently been acknowledged as a prime risk factor in developing certain disorders, including NDs.
Behavioral Therapy
Therapies like applied behavioral analysis (ABA), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), speech therapy, and developmental therapy have all been shown to be beneficial for ND symptoms. CBT, Psychotherapy, and other behavioral therapies are utilized for adults with NDs like ADHD. ABA has a significant impact on behavior in children with NDs, especially ASD and ADHD.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a stimulation therapy that is commonly used for depression, but research trials have found prospects for rTMS to offer benefits for those with NDs. In a review of multiple studies, rTMS didn’t appear to have any severe adverse effects for children and adolescents with NDs. rTMS treatment improved social functioning and behaviors for some participants with ASD. There were also benefits in those with tic disorders, in which treatment helped lessen tics. Unfortunately, rTMS did not show prospects for those with ADHD; it caused some irritation, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness in some individuals. Overall, rTMS has the potential to be an acknowledged treatment method for a few NDs. Overall, rTMS has the potential to be an acknowledged treatment method for a few NDs.
Medication
Medication is sometimes prescribed to both children and adults with NDs. For ADHD, specifically, physicians may prescribe medication to help in managing symptoms like hyperactivity, agitation, inattentiveness, etc. Medication may consist of stimulants, antidepressants, or other pharmaceuticals suited to enhance cognition. Medication, however, should not be the first choice when treating NDs like ADHD and AS. Experts express trying therapies and other strategies before medication. For pediatric patients, researchers suggest neurodevelopmental therapies and parenting training before incorporating medication into treatment routines.
A child being diagnosed with an ND is a huge adjustment for parents and loved ones. In attempts to make life easier for the child, a significant load is placed on the family. A large number of studies found that parents of children with NDs report feeling a greater amount of stress than those with children without an ND.
Researchers found that this form of stress can have negative influences on the mental health of parents, most commonly in mothers. There also appears to be a negative impact on marriages when overly stressed. These factors are why parents need to engage in positive interventions to manage and cope with the stress of caring for a child with an ND, such as mindfulness stress-reducing practices, marriage counseling, meditation, etc. Studies have found that these interventions have been effective in reducing stress and strengthening the parent’s marriage.
NDs are often conditions that persist throughout an individual’s life—and symptoms can be challenging to relationships, productivity, social skills, and communication. They can create limitations for a person and impact their abilities to function within society.
Although NDs have their share of challenges, a person can still live a fulfilling life with effective coping and treatment methods. Support of loved ones and caretakers is also an additional attribute to the quality of life for those with NDs.
If you suspect that your child may present symptoms of an ND, speak to your healthcare provider who can refer you to a specialist and provide answers that you and your child need. If you think you may have an undiagnosed ND, consult your physician and consider reaching out to a specialist.
Who Can Diagnose ADHD?
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Feb 18, 2023 · Common learning disorders affect a child's ability to: Read. Write. Do math. Use or understand language. Socialize. Learn other skills that don't involve words. Reading is based on understanding speech. Learning disorders with reading often are based on a child's trouble understanding a spoken word as a mix of distinct sounds.
Pediatric brain disorders encompass a wide range of neurological and developmental conditions that affect children's brains. These disorders can have significant impacts on a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as their overall quality of life.
Mar 15, 2023 · Examples of developmental disabilities include ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy. Developmental disabilities are common, affecting about 1 in 6 children. Here, we’ll look at the most common developmental disabilities, what causes them, how they are diagnosed, and how they are treated.
Developmental delays can affect a child’s physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or behavioral skills. Often, delays affect more than one area of development. When a child has...
Jan 6, 2018 · Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child: Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months
