Types of Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities slow down normal childhood development in one or more areas. Developmental disabilities may be the result of a brain injury or a condition such as cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, fragile x syndrome and autism. Children with developmental disabilities may have delays in just one or two areas while others may have delays in all areas. Developmental disabilities affect important life activities.

Receptive Language

• Children with developmental delays in receptive language have difficulty understanding language that is spoken to them. They may have problems following simple instructions.

Expressive Language

• Expressive language is the ability to communicate orally. Children with delays in expressive language may not talk at all for some time or may have limited speech. They may also have difficulty answering questions.

Learning

• Many children with developmental disabilities have problems with learning. These children will need lots of repetition and multi-sensory experiences to learn basic skills.

Motor Skills

• Developmental disabilities may affect both gross motor and fine motor skills. Children with gross motor deficits may appear clumsy and have trouble with walking, running, jumping and playing physical games. Children with fine motor deficits may have difficulty with handwriting, buttoning and using food utensils.

Self Help

• Some children with developmental disabilities may have problems with self-help skills. Self-help skills include dressing, going to the bathroom, and bathing.

Social Skills

• Often children with conditions such as autism have great difficulties with social skills. These children may avoid making eye contact and may have problems interacting with other children.