Some kids grow in different ways.
Their brains work in special ways.
This can make talking hard.
It can make school hard, too.
People help them learn new things.
We can be kind to everyone.
Do you like to learn new things?
Some kids grow in different ways.
Their brains work in special ways.
This can make talking hard.
Some kids have trouble with school.
They might find it hard to learn.
It can also be hard to stay still.
These things start when a child is young.
Most kids get better as they grow.
Some kids need help for a long time.
Doctors can help find these needs.
They can find them before a child is three.
Special teachers can help kids learn.
People use play to help kids learn.
They use swings or toys to help.
We can all be kind to our friends.
Some children have developmental disorders. These are conditions that start in childhood. They can affect how a child learns or speaks. They can also affect how a child moves. Most kids get better as they grow. Some challenges last for a whole lifetime.
There are many different kinds of these disorders. One kind is called ADHD. This stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It can make it hard to stay still. It can also make it hard to pay attention. About 8 to 11 percent of school kids have it.
Another kind is called ASD. This stands for autism spectrum disorder. It affects how the brain is wired. This can make social tasks hard. A child might not look at eyes. They might repeat certain movements. They might also like a set routine.
Doctors use many ways to help. Some use speech therapy. This helps kids learn to talk. Others use occupational therapy. This helps kids with daily tasks. Some use ABA, which is a way to teach new skills. These plans help kids do their best every day.
Developmental disorders are a group of conditions that start in childhood. They can cause serious trouble in many different areas of life. These areas include how a person speaks or learns. They can also affect how someone moves or acts socially. Some of these disorders are part of a group called neurodevelopmental disorders. This group includes things like ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other types include learning disorders and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Many things can cause these disorders to happen. Some scientists believe that the environment plays a big role. For example, researcher Bruce D. Perry suggests that early childhood stress can be a cause. Other theories look at how our genes work. A 2017 study in the UK and Ireland looked at 4,300 families. They tested 20,000 genes to find causes for rare difficulties. They found 14 new disorders caused by spontaneous genetic mutations. These are changes in genes not found in the parents.
Learning about these conditions has changed over many years. The first case of ASD was published in 1943. An American psychiatrist named Leo Kanner wrote about it. Today, doctors can often find signs of ASD before a child is 3 years old. However, the average age for a diagnosis in the USA is 4 years old. Some children might not get a confirmed diagnosis until they are 14. This can be a hard time for many families.
In ASD, the brain is wired in a different way. There are structural changes in parts like the cortex and the cerebellum. The cortex helps with memory and movement. The cerebellum affects communication and motor skills. The white matter, which are the fibers linking brain parts, can also be abnormal. The corpus callosum is a band of fibers that connects the two sides of the brain. In some people, this part is partially or completely missing. This condition is called agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC).
There are many ways to help people with these disorders. There is no single treatment for autism, but many therapies work well. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is used to teach social and play skills. Speech-language therapy helps people improve how they communicate. Occupational therapy helps people learn everyday tasks like personal hygiene. Some children also use sensory integration therapy. This helps them adapt to bright lights or loud sounds. These tools help everyone participate more in their daily lives.
Developmental disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that begin during childhood. These conditions involve serious impairments in several different areas of life. These areas can include social skills, communication, physical movement, and intellectual abilities. Some experts use a narrow definition for these conditions. The ICD-10 uses the term "Specific Disorders of Psychological Development" for certain types. This category includes developmental language disorder, learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In a broader sense, the term neurodevelopmental disorders is used. This broader group includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well. Some definitions even include antisocial behavior or schizophrenia that starts in childhood. However, those two conditions are not as stable as other developmental disorders. They also do not show the same evidence of a shared genetic liability.
These disorders are present from early life onward. Most children see improvements as they grow older. However, some impairments continue throughout a person's entire life. It is important to distinguish these from Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PPD). PPD describes a specific group of five different diagnoses. One of those diagnoses is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In contrast, developmental disorders represent a much larger network. This network covers many concerns, including genetic, behavioral, and language issues. Learning disabilities are often diagnosed when children first begin school. Most of these are found before a child reaches age 9. Communication disorders can also appear very early. Some children may not speak at all or have a very small vocabulary. As they grow, they may struggle to understand directions or name objects. Older children often have trouble forming words, while teens may struggle with abstract ideas.
Scientists study many different theories to find the causes of these disorders. They look at how the environment and genetics work together. Normal development is a combination of both factors. One theory suggests that environmental disruption causes these issues. Researcher Bruce D. Perry suggests that early childhood traumatization is a factor. He compares these developmental difficulties to adult post-traumatic stress disorder. Other theories suggest that even small stresses can add up over time. These stresses can lead to social or emotional disorders. Genetics also play a major role in development. A 2017 study in the UK and Ireland examined 4,300 families. Researchers tested 20,000 genes to find causes for rare difficulties. They discovered 14 new disorders caused by spontaneous genetic mutations. These mutations are not found in either parent. It is estimated that one in 300 children is born with such mutations.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a specific type of neurodevelopmental disorder. The first case of ASD was published in 1943 by Leo Kanner. He was an American psychiatrist. ASD is difficult to detect because it has a wide range of severity. A diagnosis can be made accurately before a child turns 3 years old. However, confirmation often happens later. In the USA, the mean age for diagnosis is 4 years old. The age of diagnosis can range from 9 months to 14 years. On average, a case is tested at three different centers before it is confirmed. Early diagnosis is very helpful for families. It can speed up access to special educational programs and reduce family stress. Additionally, the occurrence of ASD in one child increases the risk for the next child. This risk can be 50 to 100 times higher.
In ASD, the brain is wired in a different way. This involves structural changes in several important areas. The cortex is one area that shows changes. The cortex controls memory, sensation, and muscle movements. Structural defects are also seen in the cerebellum. This part of the brain affects motor and communication skills. The distribution of white matter is also often abnormal. White matter consists of the nerve fibers that link different brain parts. The corpus callosum is a specific band of fibers that connects the two hemispheres. In some people, this band is partially or completely absent. This condition is known as agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC). Research shows that 33% of people with AgCC score above the autism screening cut-off. An ASD child's brain also grows very rapidly. It is almost fully grown by the age of 10.
Symptoms of ASD vary greatly between individuals. They are often grouped into two main categories. The first category involves persistent issues with social interaction and communication. This includes avoiding eye contact or having difficulty interpreting body language. It also includes being unresponsive in conversations or struggling to maintain relationships. The second category involves repetitive behavioral patterns. This can include repeated hand movements or using the same phrases. Many people with ASD also show a rigid adherence to schedules. They may find it hard to adapt to minor changes in a routine. Sensory patterns are also common. Some individuals have an extreme aversion to certain odors. Others may show indifference to pain or temperature changes.
There are several ways to help people manage these symptoms. There is no single specific treatment for autism. However, many types of therapy are effective. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is considered very effective by the American Academy of Pediatrics. ABA focuses on teaching adaptive skills like social or play skills. It uses reinforcement to encourage positive behaviors. Occupational therapy helps with everyday tasks like personal hygiene. This therapy helps people adapt their environments to their specific skill levels. Speech-language therapy helps improve communication mechanics and social use of speech. For those with low-functioning autism, therapists may help develop basic speech patterns. Finally, sensory integration therapy helps people adapt to stimuli like bright lights or loud sounds. This often involves play with swings or trampolines to engage the senses.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another neurodevelopmental disorder. It occurs in early childhood and affects 8% to 11% of school-aged children. ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsiveness. There are three distinct subtypes of this disorder. The first is predominantly inattentive. The second is predominantly hyperactive. The third is the combined subtype, which shows both traits. ADHD is twice as common in boys as it is in girls. However, the hyperactive type is more common in boys. The inattentive type affects both sexes equally. Symptoms can lead to academic problems and disruptive behavior. Many children also struggle with social relationships and interpersonal connections. They may also experience mood swings, sleep disturbances, or aggressiveness.
Where will your curiosity go next?
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.