Developmental Disabilities

Pathophysiology
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.Most common disabilities: Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, Prevasive developmental disorders, Fetal alchohol spectrum disorders, Cerebral palsy, Intellectual disability. Developmental disabilities are severe, long-term problems. They may be physical, such as blindness. They may affect mental ability, such as learning disorders. Or the problem can be both physical and mental, such as Down syndrome. The problems are usually life-long, and can affect everyday living. The main causes of developmental disabilities , Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, Prenatal exposure to substances, Preterm birth.

Genetic abnormalities cuase conditions such as down syndrome, Rett syndrome
Treatment:
Treatments include physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Special education classes and psychological counseling can also help Once a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability, early intervention is critical. Treatments such as socialization exercises and behavioral therapy may be used to reinforce and support positive behavior. In addition, treatments such as speech, physical therapy or occupational therapy can improve a child's verbal, cognitive and social abilities and motor skills. Children with Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, and other IDDs can often benefit from therapeutic speech therapy, occupational therapy, and exercises to improve their gross- and fine-motor skills.

Major research:
1)A Review of the Research to Identify the Most Effective Models of Practice in Early Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.2) A new mentorship model: Towards arts employment and social inclusion for people with disability 3) Parental perceptions of information needs and service provision for children with developmental disabilities in rural Australia.4) Preterm birth-associated neurodevelopmental impairment estimates at regional and global levels for 201050 The consequences of chorioamnionitis: preterm birth and effects on development.

Statistics:
In 2009, four million people in Australia were reported as having a disability. Of all Australians with a disability in 2009, 290,000 (7.2%) were children aged 0-14 years. Between 2003 and 2009 the proportion of all Australians with a disability decreased from 20% to 18%, while the proportion of children aged 0-14 years with a disability decreased from 8.2% to 7.0%. The rate and severity of disability was higher among boys than girls. Boys aged 0-14 years were more likely to have a disability (8.8%) than girls (5.0%). Boys aged 5-14 years were nearly twice as likely (11.4%) to have a disability than girls aged 5-14 years (6.1%).