When You Find Out That Your Child Has a Disability
Discovering that your child has a disability can be a significant emotional and practical challenge for both you and your child. It's important to approach this situation with care, sensitivity, and a proactive mindset.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impact daily functioning and quality of life. ADHD is a complex condition with a range of symptoms and presentations.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a range of challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It is considered a spectrum disorder because the symptoms and severity vary widely among individuals. ASD affects how individuals perceive the world, interact with others, and engage in activities.
Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder which manifests typically with patients having distinctive physical characteristics, intellectual disabilities, and they may experience various health issues. It is the most common chromosomal disorder and a leading cause of intellectual disability.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Individuals with cerebral palsy may experience challenges in muscle coordination and control, leading to difficulties in activities such as walking, eating, and speaking.
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability, formerly known as mental retardation, is a condition characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Individuals with intellectual disabilities may experience challenges in learning, problem-solving, and daily life activities.
Physical Disability
Physical disability refers to a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina. These conditions can result from congenital issues, injuries, or medical conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, neurological, or other bodily systems.
Speech and Language Disorders
Speech and language disorders encompass a range of conditions that affect an individual's ability to communicate effectively. These disorders can manifest in difficulties with speech production, comprehension, and expression.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an individual's ability to acquire, process, store, and produce information.
Visual Impairments
Visual impairments refer to a range of conditions that affect an individual's ability to see or interpret visual information.
Hearing Impairments
Hearing impairments, also known as hearing loss or deafness, refer to a partial or total inability to hear. It can affect individuals of all ages and can be temporary or permanent.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic condition that causes muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass over time.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a congenital neural tube defect that occurs during early fetal development when the neural tube, which forms the spinal cord and the brain, does not close properly. This condition can lead to various spinal and neurological abnormalities.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
FASD is a group of lifelong conditions that result from prenatal exposure to alcohol. These conditions can cause physical, behavioral, and learning problems in affected individuals.
Tourette Syndrome (TS)
TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics. Tics are sudden, rapid, and non-rhythmic movements or sounds that people with Tourette Syndrome cannot control.
Williams Syndrome
Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a distinctive pattern of physical, cognitive, and behavioral features.
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)
FXS is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges, and various physical characteristics. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
PWS is a rare genetic disorder that affects many aspects of a person's physical, mental, and behavioral health.
Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects girls, occurring in approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 live female births. The condition is characterized by a period of normal development followed by a loss of acquired skills, such as purposeful hand skills and spoken language.
Angelman Syndrome (AS)
AS is a rare neurogenetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system, causing developmental and intellectual disabilities. AS is characterized by a distinct set of features, including developmental delays, speech impairment, and a happy, excitable demeanor.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures. Seizures are episodes of disturbed brain activity that can manifest as altered consciousness, behavior, or sensation.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
SPD is a neurological condition that affects the way the nervous system receives and processes sensory information from the environment. Individuals with SPD may have difficulties in organizing and responding appropriately to stimuli such as touch, sound, taste, and smell.