Early Detection of Developmental Disorders in Children: Diagnostic Approaches

Developmental disorders in children refer to a group of conditions caused by the impairment of their physical, mental, behavioural, or language development. Also known as developmental disabilities, these disorders typically emerge during the children’s developmental period and can affect their day-to-day routine.

Early detection of these developmental disorders in children can significantly increase the effectiveness of intervention. For that, it’s essential to properly understand what developmental disorder is and how it can be detected early.

This article overviews what development disorders in children mean and how they can be detected.

What is Developmental Disorder?

Developmental disorder is a medical condition that impairs children’s physical and intellectual abilities and impacts their language and behaviour. It is a physical and brain-based condition that may begin even before the child is born or can develop later due to some infection, injury, or other factors.

Development disability can affect various body parts and systems and last for their whole life. While certain disabilities can be effectively managed with appropriate interventions, others may be more severe and demand comprehensive, ongoing support.

What are the Different Types of Developmental Disorders?

Development disorders can be of many types. Here is a list of developmental disorders common in children.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
   ASD or autism affects the ability of the child to interact, communicate, and adapt to changes. Symptoms include problems in communication and social interactions and repetitive patterns of behaviour.
   Also read about Signs of Autism
2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
   ADHD influences the impulse control of a child and is characterised by inattention and changes in energy levels. Common symptoms include concentration issues, inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and inability to adapt to routine.
3. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
   This development disability occurs when the mother of the child consumes alcohol during pregnancy. Side effects of the disability are low body weight, hearing and vision impairments, non-typical facial features, and cognitive issues.
4. Down Syndrome
   This is a genetic condition that results from the presence of an extra chromosome 21. Signs of the condition include intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and physical characteristics like a flat nose, short neck, and slanted eyes.
5. Cerebral Palsy
   Cerebral palsy is a condition that develops due to damage to the area of the brain that controls muscle movements. The symptoms of the disability include stiffness in arms and legs, uncoordinated movements, and spasms or contractions.

What are the Causes of Developmental Disorders?

Various causes of developmental disorders include:

• Genetics: Many developmental disorders are caused by genetics or chromosome abnormalities resulting from an incorrect number of chromosomes.
• Prenatal exposures: Consumption of substances like alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or coming in contact with certain infections during pregnancy increases the chances of developmental disorders in the child.
• Biological factors: Low birth weight, premature births, or a lack of oxygen at birth might also result in development disability.

What are Developmental Delays?

Developmental delays happen when children don’t reach the developmental milestones they are expected to reach. These milestones include smiling, rolling over, taking the first step, speaking their first word, or trying to stand.

A developmental delay in a child does not necessarily indicate the presence of a developmental disorder. However, developmental delay can be an early indicator of a development disability the child may have in the future. Most children with a developmental disorder usually show many developmental delays.

There are many types of developmental delays that affect different skills of children, such as cognitive skills, emotional and social skills, speech and language skills, and fine motor skills.

Common developmental delay symptoms are:

• Difficulty with motor skills
• Impaired memory
• Problems with social interactions
• Trouble understanding speech
• Issues with problem-solving

How are Developmental Disorders Diagnosed?

For early interventions that can lead to effective management of developmental disorders, it’s essential to detect them early. The diagnosis process for these disorders includes:

• Prenatal or newborn screening: Performing a screening test during pregnancy or when the child is born.
• Developmental screening: Conducting developmental and behavioural screening tests and questionnaires to assess the child’s development.
• Specialized monitoring: Observing the child’s behaviour and interactions with others.
• Intellectual assessments: Testing the child’s intellectual and school performance.
• Comprehensive evaluations: Doing a multidisciplinary assessment that involves collecting inputs from paediatricians, psychologists, and occupational and speech therapists.

When it comes to developmental disorders in children, it’s crucial to recognise the symptoms early so that parents can take the necessary steps toward timely detection, leading to effective interventions and improved outcomes.

If parents notice symptoms of developmental disorders within their child, genetic testing can help detect potential causes that may need closer medical attention. They must consult a doctor and book a genetic disorders test with Dr Lal PathLabs for early detection.

For further information on appointment bookings and lab reports, download the Dr Lal PathLabs app today.

FAQs

1. What are pervasive developmental disorders?
   Pervasive developmental disorder is another term for autism spectrum disorder, which is characterised by communication delay and difficulty in social interactions.
2. What are some developmental delay symptoms?
   Common developmental delay symptoms include difficulty in motor skills, problem-solving, understanding speech, and making connections.