DevelopmentalDisabilities

Developmental Disabilities
• A diverse group of severe chronic conditions
• Due to mental and/or physical impairments.
• Problems with major life activities such as
language, mobility, learning, self-help, and
independent living.
• Developmental disabilities begin anytime
during development up to 22 years of age and
usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Types of Developmental Disabilities
• Nervous system disabilities :
– Menatl Retardation
– Downs syndrome
– Fragile X syndrome
– Autism
• Sensory related disabilties:
– Vision, hearing and sight impairment
• Metabolic disorder:
– Phenylketonuria
• Degenerative disorder:
– Rett syndrome
 MENTALRETARDATION
MENTAL RETARDATION
Mental retardation (MR) is a generalized
disorder appearing before adulthood,
characterized by significantly impaired
cognitive functioning and deficits in two or
more adaptive behaviors and by an IQ score
under 70.
 Intellectualfunctioning
Intellectual functioning

• IQ = Mental Age/Chronological Age * 100. The

more severe the retardation the lower the ratio of
MA/CA i.e. a ten year old with a MA of 5, IQ = 50.
• The children are classified as mild (50 -70),
moderate (35 © 55), severe (20 © 35), and
profound (>20). The MR child will tend function
closer to their CA in physical ability then in their
mental functioning.
 Classification
• Mild : 50 – 69 IQ
• Moderate : 35 – 49 IQ
• Severe : 20 – 34 IQ
• Profound : below 20 IQ
• Borderline intelligence functioning : 70 – 80 IQ
 Causes
• Genetic conditions
• Problem during pregnancy
• Problem at birth
• Due to certain diseases or toxin
• Iodine deficiency
• Malnutrition
 Diagnosis
Based on three criteria:
• An IQ below 70
• Significant limitations in two or more areas of
adaptive behavior (as measured by an adaptive
behavior rating scale, i.e. communication, self-
help skills, interpersonal skills, and more)
• Evidence that the limitations became apparent
before the age of 18.
 Treatment
• Using Behavioral Principles
– Caregivers are trained to teach children positive behaviors and
reduce negative behaviors effectively and humanely
• Drug Therapies
– No drugs specifically aimed at MR, but some symptoms can be
controlled.
• Comprehensive Early Intervention Programs
• Mainstreaming
– Placing children with MR in regular classrooms to “normalize”
their behavior and give the more opportunities and giving
them skill trainig