FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY

San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600,

Region XIII Caraga, Philippines
Tel. Number 085-34130001 local 4853
Nursing Program

Developmental Disorder

DEFINITION:
Developmental disorders are a diverse group of long-term
conditions that begin to affect people in early childhood. These
conditions affect a child’s ability to participate in personal,
social and academic areas of life. Children may have difficulties
with learning, communication, mobility or behavior, for example.
The features of each developmental disorder are different, but
most are characterized by a delay in reaching expected
developmental milestones.

The types of problems that children experience as a result of

developmental disorders vary. Some children have very specific
learning difficulties. Others might have broader difficulties
with social skills or intelligence. It’s common for children to
experience more than one developmental disorder, or to also
experience mental health challenges.

The factors underlying developmental disorders are complex. It is

generally thought that interactions between biological and
environmental factors affect the likelihood of developing a
disorder.

Developmental disorders often require attention throughout a

person’s lifetime. If you have concerns about your child, seek
assessment and diagnosis as early as possible. Supports can then
be put in place and the appropriate treatment can start. This can
make a huge difference in helping people to lead fulfilled and
rewarding lives.

RISK FACTORS/ CAUSES

Developmental disabilities begin anytime during the developmental
period and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Most
developmental disabilities begin before a baby is born, but some
can happen after birth because of injury, infection, or other
factors.

Most developmental disabilities are thought to be caused by a

complex mix of factors. These factors include genetics; parental
health and behaviors (such as smoking and drinking) during
pregnancy; complications during birth; infections the mother
might have during pregnancy or the baby might have very early in
life; and exposure of the mother or child to high levels of
environmental toxins, such as lead. For some developmental
disabilities, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, which is caused by
drinking alcohol during pregnancy, we know the cause. But for
most, we don’t.
Following are some examples of what we know about specific
developmental disabilities:

• At least 25% of hearing loss among babies is due to maternal

infections during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)
infection; complications after birth; and head trauma.
• Some of the most common known causes of intellectual
disability include fetal alcohol syndrome disorder; genetic
and chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome and
fragile X syndrome; and certain infections during pregnancy.
• Children who have a sibling with autism spectrum disorder
are at a higher risk of also having autism spectrum
disorder.
• Low birthweight, premature birth, multiple birth, and
infections during pregnancy are associated with an increased
risk for many developmental disabilities.
• Untreated newborn jaundice (high levels of bilirubin in the
blood during the first few days after birth) can cause a
type of brain damage known as kernicterus. Children with
kernicterus are more likely to have cerebral palsy, hearing
and vision problems, and problems with their teeth. Early
detection and treatment of newborn jaundice can prevent
kernicterus.

SIGN/MANIFESTATION Symptoms of developmental disorders vary

from person to person and the specific diagnosis.

However, the identification of a developmental disorder often

occurs when a parent notices that their child does not seem to be
reaching developmental milestones. Children progressively develop
skills related to how they:

• Move
• Talk
• Play
• Learn
Each developmental milestone tends to be reached by the time a
child is a particular age. However, there is not necessarily
cause for alarm if your child has not reached a particular
milestone by the guideline age. All children develop at different
rates.

THERAPY/ MANAGEMENT
Therapy for the person with a developmental disorder is usually
highly structured. It aims to help people to cope better and
function at their best. People with developmental disorders are
at increased risk of experiencing mental health challenges such
as anxiety or depression, which therapy can also help with.
Family counseling can provide emotional support and help parents
or caregivers learn how to best support their child. Parents of
children with developmental disorders may also benefit from
individual therapy. These parents tend to experience more stress
than other parents. Therapy types to consider include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help change

unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT can help people
experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety or
depression.
• Family therapy: This helps in many ways, such as providing a
forum for family members to understand and learn to support
the person with the developmental disorder. You can learn more
about Family Systems Therapy.
• Creative Arts Therapies: Music, Dance or Art Therapy, for
example, can be particularly helpful for children with
developmental disorders, for finding new ways of expressing
themselves nonverbally.
• Skills training: Any type of therapy including a skills
training component can help people to develop new social
skills, coping skills, and skills for participating in work or
school, as well as for managing their illness.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA is an evidence-based type
of therapy commonly used for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ABA helps build positive behaviors and discourage unhelpful
behaviors. It provides skills training to aid communication,
social interactions and engaging at school.
• Mindfulness Practices: Learning mindfulness practices can help
to reduce stress levels in parents of children with
developmental disorders.
• Client-centered therapy: Client-Centered Therapy has a couple
of adaptations that are helpful for people with developmental
disabilities, such as Person-Centered or Child-Centered Play
Therapy.

References:
Developmental Disorders | Symptoms & Treatments | Zencare.
(n.d.). Developmental Disorders | Symptoms & Treatments |
Zencare.
https://zencare.co/mental-health/developmentaldisorders

CDC. (2022, April 8). Causes and Risk Factors. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/causes-
and-riskfactors.html#:~:text=These%20factors%20include
%20genetics%3B%20parental