Child development and children with special needs Flashcards
What are features of normal development?
Constant pattern Sequential acquisition of skills Median age vs limit age Genetic factors Environmental influences
What is global developmental delay?
Significant delay in 2+ developmental domains
How do children with learning disability present?
Routine health surveillance Children with identified risk factors Parental concern Professional contact - nursery/daycare Opportunistic health contact UK Healthy Child Programme
What are assessment tools for primary care assessment?
ASQ - Ages and Stages Questionnaire
PEDS - Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status
M-CHAT - Checklist for autism in toddlers
SOGS-2 - Schedule of growing skills
What are assessment tools for secondary care assessment of develoment?
Griffiths mental development scales
Bayley scales of infant development
Wechsler preschool and primary scales of intelligence
What should be covered in history for development?
Family history of neurodevelopmental/genetic disorder History of miscarriages Prenatal, perinatal, neonatal course Drugs and alcohol use in pregnancy Developmental and social history Record of medications Previous metabolic/thyroid testing Neuroimaging Lead and iron screening Growth records Vision and hearing surveilance High index of suspicion for abuse and neglect
What should be done on examination for learning disabilities?
Head circumference Dysmorphic features Skin abnormalities Movement qulaity Ability to sit and stand from supine Eye movement and eye examination General examination Abdo examination Observation of behaviour
What are common syndromes?
Down syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
William’s syndrome
What are red flag signs?
Loss of developmental skills Concerns about vision or hearing Floppiness No speech by 18-24 months Asymmetry of movement Persistent toe walking Head circumference in 99.6/0.4 centile
What investigations can be done into learning disabilities?
Base on clinical abnormalities Diagnostic yield of specific tests Timing Genetic testing Creatine kinase Thyroid screening Lactate Amino and organic acids Ophtalmological examination Audiology assessment Consider congenital infection Neuroimaging
What are common motor problems?
Delayed maturation
Cerebral palsy
Development coordination disorder
What are common sensory problems?
Deafness
Visual impairment
Multisensory impairment
What are common language/cognitive problems?
Specific language impairment
Learning disability
What are common social/communication problems?
Autism
Asperger syndrome
Elective mutism
What are benefits to investigating?
Family gains understanding including prognostic info
Lessen parental blame
Prevent co-morbidity by identifying factors likely to cause secondary disability
Appropriate genetic counselling
Accessing more support
Address concerns about possible causes
Potential treatment options for a few conditions
