Developmental Disorders

What happens when the brain doesn’t develop like it’s supposed to? Pervasive Development Disorders (PDDs) Development delays of many basic skills socializing, communicating, and using imagination. Often confused in thinking and understanding the world. Usually identified around age 3, a critical period in development, so they are called development disorders. Begins earlier, but it’s hard to notice a problem until the child is not walking, talking, or developing as well as other kids the same age!

Types of pervasive development disorders under the term AUTISM:

Facts about Autism… About 1 percent of the world population has autism spectrum disorder. (CDC, 2014) Prevalence in the United States is estimated at 1 in 68 births. (CDC, 2014) More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. (Buescher et al., 2014) Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68). (CDC, 2014) Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. (CDC, 2008)

There are five types of pervasive development disorders: Autism: Problems with social interaction, pretend play, and communication. Limited range of activities and interests. 75% with autism also have some degree of slowed mental growth (mental retardation). Asperger's syndrome: Difficulty with social interaction, communication, concentrating, and may have poor coordination. Have a narrow range of interests. Have average or above average intelligence, and develop normal language and cognition.

There are five types of pervasive development disorders: Childhood disintegrative disorder: Begin development normally but between ages 2 and 10, loses many mental/physical skills he has developed. May lose control of other functions (like bowel and bladder control). Rett's syndrome: Social symptoms of a PDD with loss of many motor skills (such as walking and use of hands) and poor coordination. Linked to a defect on the X chromosome (so it affects girls). Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified Problems with communication, play, and interacting with others, but are too social to be considered autistic.

What Causes Pervasive Development Disorders? Some studies suggest that PDDs are caused by a problem with the nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

How Common Are Pervasive Development Disorders? It is estimated that PDDs occur in about 5- 15 children per 10,000 births (.05-.15%) PDDs are more common in boys than in girls Exception: Rett's syndrome occurs almost always in girls

Other types of developmental disorders: Cerebral Palsy Most cases develop before birth due injury to the brain from accident, asphyxia, bacterial infections or exposure to certain chemicals and allergies. Fragile X Syndrome Occurs when a gene/protein is unable to aid healthy and normal development, resulting in changes in his emotional, mental, physical and behavioral features.

Other types of developmental disorders: Dyslexia Problems understanding language, differences between right/left, solving math problems and organizing/planning. Neurological problem- brain is unable to transfer images from the eyes and ears into comprehensible language. Dyscalculia Problems recognizing numbers, or difficulty reading maps or following directions. Caused by an injury to the brain or a deficit in the working memory. Dysgraphia Problems writing alphabets or sentences in order. Develops when his motor development doesn’t take place properly.

Conjoined Twins Conjoined twins occur once every 200,000 live births. About 40 to 60% of conjoined twins are stillborn, and about 35% survive only one day. Overall survival rate of conjoined twins is between 5% and 25%. Male twins conjoin in the womb more than female twins, but females are 3x as likely to survive. Approximately 70 percent of all conjoined twins are girls.

How They Are Formed Conjoined twins are genetically identical, so they are always the same sex. The fertilized egg and the embryo starts to split into identical twins during the first few weeks of development, but stops before the process is complete and develops into a conjoined fetus.

Famous Cases Abby and Brittany Lori and Reba Cheng and Eng