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Behavioral Issues Common to Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities include a wide range of conditions that may affect an individual at any age from birth up to the early 20s. Conditions including mental retardation, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities all fall under the developmental disability category. Individuals with disabilities may have deficiencies in motor skills, intellectual processes, hearing, sight or speech. The struggle with limited abilities can lead to behavioral problems when communication or normal activities of daily life are interrupted.

  1. Aggression

    • People with developmental disabilities often demonstrate frustration through aggressive behavior. Aggressive behaviors include hitting, kicking, punching at others or objects, verbal outbursts or destruction of property. Aggressive behavior is often preceded by problems with communicating to others, pain, frustration, confusion, hormone changes or changes in routine. Those helping the individual should consider preventative measures to minimize those factors that cause aggressive feelings. Caregivers, friends or family can initiate therapies, schedules, routines or calming techniques to help the struggling person.

    Self-Injurious Behavior

    • Self-injurious behavior consists of injuring oneself in order to alleviate pain or frustration. Some self-injurious behavior may stem from boredom or attention-seeking. Common forms of self-injury include cutting or scratching the body, picking at sores or scabs, and pinching or hitting the body. People who cut themselves often share similarities of magical thinking or lack of a support group. They believe that cutting or hurting the body will release negative feelings. These individuals frequently feel alone or unable to communicate with others, and they turn to self-injury as a "friend" that is dependable.

    Eating Behaviors

    • Eating disorders and problems often go hand in hand with developmental disabilities. Common eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or compulsive eating often tie into the frustration and anger of not having control over other bodily functions. Control over one's eating replaces the feelings of failure at other other normal activities. One of the most common eating behaviors of the developmentally disabled is pica. Individuals who feel constant urges to eat both edible and nonedible items are diagnosed with pica. Common nonedible objects consumed with a diagnosis of pica include dirt, feces, rocks, paper, hair or cigarette butts. Pica can lead to serious injury if items cause choking or digestion problems.

    Depression and Seclusion

    • Individuals with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome live longer today than in the past. According to Jeffrey H. Minde, C.S.W., and Andrea R. Friedman, M.Ed., authors of "The Graying of Disabled America," people who had Down syndrome in the 1920s lived on average only to the age of 9 years, whereas in the 1990s they often lived beyond 65. An increase in age with developmental disabilities often carries with it depression. An individual who has limitations with normal functioning experiences further decrease in abilities with age. A loss of functioning leads to depression and occasionally seclusion. Preventative measures may assist the developmentally disabled through old age by preparing them through education and counseling.

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