Many children struggle to learn new skills and concepts; it is a normal part of development. When a child continually struggles and doesn’t seem to improve, however, it could be due to one of many developmental disabilities. Developmental Disability is an umbrella term that applies to those who struggle to obtain, internalize, recall, and use any kind of information. Some common developmental disabilities are Developmental Language Disorder, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. While Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD are classified as separate conditions, they often have related developmental disabilities, and can therefore benefit from treatments associated with these disorders. It is important to identify and treat these conditions to give a child the best chance at success.
Developmental Disabilities
What developmental disabilities are there?
What are the common symptoms?
Important symptoms to watch for include:
- Lack of focus or easily distracted nature
- Stuttering or trouble forming sentences correctly
- Excessive difficulty reading and writing
- Trouble moving in intended ways
- Difficulty sitting still
- Trouble making and maintaining eye contact
- Problems understanding words and concepts
Developmental Disability Statistics*
Developmental language disorder affects 5% - 10% of children, making it the most common developmental disability.
Learning disorders (e.g. reading, writing, math, etc.) affect an estimated 10% of people within their lifetime.
The prevalence of a developmental motor disorder in the US is 1.7%.
*Statistics taken from pubmed.gov via uptodate.com
Treatment Options
Related Conditions: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavioral & School Problems