DISABILITIES: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Developmental Disabilities: Topic Home
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/default.htm>
Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic
conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with
developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such
as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living.
Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years
of age and usually last throughout a persons lifetime.
More
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/dd1.htm>
Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic
conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with
developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such
as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living.
Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years
of age and usually last throughout a persons lifetime.
Developmental disabilities activities at CDC include:
Studying how common developmental disabilities are and who is more likely
to have them
Finding the causes of developmental disabilities and the factors that
increase the chance that a person will have one
Learning how people with developmental disabilities can improve the
quality of their lives.
CDCs activities focus on:
Autism spectrum disorders
Cerebral palsy
Hearing loss
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddhi.htm>
Mental retardation
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddmr.htm>
Vision impairment
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddvi.htm>
Efforts to improve the health of people with developmental disabilities
People with disabilities can live healthy lives. There are many federal
and federally-funded programs that help people learn to live well with a
disability. CDC has put together a list of some of these programs,
including links to their Web sites so that you can learn more about them.
[Read about improving health]
Resources for people with developmental disabilities and their families
CDC does not study education or treatment programs for people with
developmental disabilities, nor does it provide direct services to people
with developmental disabilities or to their families. However, CDC has put
together a list of resources for people affected by developmental
disabilities. [Go to the resources list]
Developmental disabilities activities at other federal agencies
CDC is not the only federal agency that has developmental disability
activities. Click on the links below to learn about the activities at
other federal programs. Many of these sites have some information in
Spanish.
Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
<http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add/>
ADD works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their
families help decide what services they should get and that they indeed
get the support and services they need. Service areas include education,
employment, health, child care, housing, protection and advocacy,
recreation, transportation, and quality assurance. ADD is part of the
Administration for Children and Families.
Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)
CMS has two programs, Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance
Program, that can help children and adults with disabilities get health
care coverage.
DisabilityInfo.gov
<http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/>
DisabilityInfo.gov has information about disabilities resources in the
federal government. Topics include jobs, education, housing,
transportation, health, income support, technology, community life, and
civil rights.
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
<http://mchb.hrsa.gov/>
MCHB promotes the health of children and mothers. It has programs in areas
such as children with special health care needs, newborn hearing
screening, child health and safety, and genetics. MCHB is part of the
Health Resources and Services Administration.
MEDLINEplus Health Information, National Library of Medicine
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/>
MEDLINEplus, an online service of the National Library of Medicine, links
people to information about topics such as autism, cerebral palsy, hearing
loss, mental retardation, and vision impairment.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
<http://www.ncd.gov/>
NCD ensures that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as
people who do not have disabilities. It promotes policies and programs
that help people with disabilities live on their own, support themselves,
and take part in all aspects of society. NCD makes recommendations to the
President and Congress on issues that affect Americans with disabilities.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
<http://www.nih.gov/>
Several institutes within NIH conduct and fund research about
developmental disabilities. They also offer information to the public and
educational programs for health professionals.
National Eye Institute (NEI)
<http://www.nei.nih.gov/>
NEI studies ways to prevent and treat eye diseases and vision problems and
to improve the lives of people with these conditions.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
<http://www.nih.gov/nichd/>
NICHD studies the impact that disabilities such as autism and mental
retardation have on peoples lives, as well as possible causes and
treatments of those disabilities.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
<http://www.nih.gov/nidcd/>
NIDCD studies hearing loss, deafness, and problems with speech and
language.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
<http://www.nimh.nih.gov/>
NIMH studies mental illness and behavior problems, including such
conditions as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and
learning disabilities.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
<http://www.ninds.nih.gov/>
NINDS studies the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of brain
and nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html>
NIDRR promotes the participation of all people with disabilities in their
communities. It also helps communities provide opportunities and support
for people with disabilities. NIDRR focuses on studies related to topics
such as jobs, health, assistive technology, and independent living. NIDRR
is part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Office of Disability Employment
<http://www.dol.gov/odep/welcome.html>
The Office of Disability Employment works to increase job opportunities
for people with disabilities. It promotes access to education, training,
assistive technology and other support so that people with disabilities
can get and keep jobs. It helps businesses increase the number of work
options for people with disabilities. The Office of Disability Employment
is part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html>
OSEP works to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities
from birth to age 21 through education and support services. OSEP
administers the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the federal law
that supports special education and related services for children and
youth with disabilities. OSEP is part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Office on Disability
<http://www.hhs.gov/od/>
The Office on Disability oversees the implementation of federal disability
policies and programs. It works to remove barriers facing people with
disabilities so they can participate more fully in their communities. It
also fosters interactions between the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (of which it is a part), other federal agencies, state agencies,
local agencies, and private sector groups.
Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA)
<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html>
RSA helps people with disabilities get jobs and live more independently.
RSA is part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional Information Sources from This Website
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/default.htm>
Monitoring Developmental Disabilities
Research about Developmental Disabilities
Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
Educational Materials
Developmental Disability Data Sets
DISABILITIES: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Public Inquiries: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636);
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
24 Hours / Every Day -
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/>
Mission
The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the
potential for full, productive living.
Our work includes identifying the causes of and preventing birth defects
and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach
their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of
all ages with disabilities
Specific Topics
Birth Defects
Basic Facts
Prevention of Birth Defects
Folic Acid Helps Prevent Some Birth Defects
Preconception Care
Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Preventing Alcohol Exposed Pregnancies
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) and Pregnancy
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Medication Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Genetics
Monitoring Birth Defects
Research
Developmental Disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Information Center
Cerebral Palsy
Hearing Loss
Kernicterus
Mental Retardation / Intellectual Disability
Vision Impairment
Blood Disorders
Bleeding Disorders
Clotting Disorders - Thrombophilia
Thalassemia
Sickle Cell Disease
For Women
Surveillance
Laboratory Research
Hemochromatosis
Human Development
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
Child Development
Disability and Health
Single Gene Disorders
- Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- Fragile X Syndrome
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Tourette's Syndrome
Women with Disabilities
Birth Defects
Birth Defects Home > Basic Facts
Basic Facts About Birth Defects
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/facts.htm>
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth defect? Which are most common? Learn answers to these and
other frequently asked questions listed below...
What is a birth defect?
What are the most common birth defects?
What is my chance of having a baby with a birth defect?
Do genetic factors play a role in causing birth defects?
What causes birth defects?
Does alcohol cause birth defects?
Does smoking cause birth defects?
Do illegal drugs cause birth defects?
Does exposure to the MMR vaccine cause birth defects? Other vaccines?
When in pregnancy do birth defects happen?
What can I do to keep germs from harming my baby and me?
What kind of health care provider can help find out what caused my babys
birth defect?
Who coordinates the health care of my child who has a birth defect?
What does a genetic counselor do?
Where can I find a clinical geneticist or genetic counselor?
Where can I get information about my baby's birth defect?
How can I get in touch with parents of a child with the same birth defect
as my child?
What should I do to have a healthy pregnancy?
What is CDC doing to prevent and help find the causes for birth defects?
Birth Defects
Birth Defects Home > Basic Facts > FAQs
Birth Defects: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/faq1.htm#Whatisabirthdefect>
Q: What is a birth defect?
A birth defect is a problem that happens while the baby is developing in
the mothers body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of
pregnancy.
A birth defect may affect how the body looks, works, or both. It can be
found before birth, at birth, or anytime after birth. Most defects are
found within the first year of life. Some birth defects (such as cleft
lip or clubfoot) are easy to see, but others (such as heart defects or
hearing loss) are found using special tests (such as x-rays, CAT scans, or
hearing tests). Birth defects can vary from mild to severe.
Some birth defects can cause the baby to die. Babies with birth defects
may need surgery or other medical treatments, but, if they receive the
help they need, these babies often lead full lives.
Q: What are the most common birth defects?
One of every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. A birth defect can
affect almost any part of the body. The well being of the child depends
mostly on which organ or body part is involved and how much it is
affected.
Many birth defects affect the heart. About 1 in every 100 to 200 babies
is born with a heart defect. Heart defects make up about one-third to
one-fourth of all birth defects. Some of these heart defects can be
serious, and a few are very severe. In some places of the world, heart
defects cause half of all deaths from birth defects in children less than
1 year of age.
Other common birth defects are neural tube defects, which are defects of
the spine (spina bifida) and brain (anencephaly). They affect about 1 of
1,000 pregnancies. These defects can be serious and are often life
threatening. They happen less often than heart defects, but they cause
many fetal and infant deaths.
Birth defects of the lip and roof of the mouth are also common. These
birth defects, known as orofacial clefts, include cleft lip, cleft palate,
and combined cleft lip and cleft palate. Cleft lip is more common than
cleft palate. In many places of the world, orofacial clefts affect about
1 in 700 to 1,000 babies.
Some birth defects are common but rarely life threatening, though they
often require medical and surgical attention. Hypospadias, for example,
is a fairly common defect found in male babies. In babies with
hypospadias, the opening of the urethra (where urine comes out) is not at
the tip of the penis but on the underside. Treatment depends on how far
away from the tip the opening is and can involve complex surgery. This
defect is rarely as serious as the others listed above, but it can cause
great concern and sometimes has high medical costs. It rarely causes
death.
These are only some of the most common birth defects. Two final points
are worth noting. First, genetic conditions, though not mentioned so far,
also occur often. Down syndrome, for example, is a genetic condition that
affects about 1 in 800 babies, but it affects many more babies who are
born to older women. Second, a woman who is pregnant may miscarry a baby
(fetus) early, before it is time for the baby to be born. This often
happens when the fetus has a severe birth defect. To know the true impact
of birth defects and how often they occur, we not only need to look at
babies born but also, if possible, look at all pregnancies.
Q: What is my chance of having a baby with a birth defect?
In the United States, about 3% of babies are born with birth defects.
Some women have a higher chance of having a child with a birth defect.
Women over the age of 35 years have a higher chance of having a child with
Down syndrome than women who are younger. If taken when a woman is
pregnant, certain drugs can increase the chance of birth defects. Also,
women who smoke and use alcohol while pregnant have a higher risk of
having a baby with certain birth defects. Other women have a higher
chance of having a baby with a birth defect because someone in their
family had a similar birth defect. To learn more about your risk of
having a baby with a birth defect, you can talk with a genetic counselor.
(To find a genetic counselor, see Where can I find a geneticist or genetic
counselor?) Also, to reduce your chances of having a baby with a birth
defect, talk with your health care provider about any medicines that you
take, do not drink alcohol or smoke, and be sure to take 400 micrograms of
the B vitamin folic acid every day. It is the amount of folic acid found
in most multivitamins.
Q: Do genetic factors play a role in causing birth defects?
Yes, in some but not all cases. Changes in the genes can cause certain
birth defects in infants. Genes tell each cell in the body how to combine
with other cells to form parts of the body. For example, genes tell
certain cells to make the heart, the kidneys, or the brain, and they tell
other cells to make our physical features, like green eyes or brown hair.
Genes also tell the cells how to work in the body. Genes give instructions
for cells in our heart to beat, our stomach to digest food, our muscles to
push and pull, and our brain to think.
Genes combine with many other genes to make chromosomes. Changes in single
genes, groups of genes, or entire chromosomes can sometimes cause birth
defects. These genetic changes might happen only in the infant, or they
might pass down from one or both parents. Sometimes, there are other
relatives in the family with the same birth defect, but not always.
Factors other than genetics can also increase the chance of having a baby
with a birth defect. (See Does alcohol cause birth defects? Does smoking
cause birth defects? Do illegal drugs cause birth defects?). In some
cases, the mother or baby has genes that are easily affected by factors
outside the body that cause birth defects. In this case, genes and
environment work together to cause a birth defect.
Medline Plus: Developmental Disabilities
U.S. National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD
20894
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health & Human Services
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/developmentaldisabilities.html>
Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities are birth defects that cause lifelong problems
with how a body part or system works. They include
Nervous system disabilities affecting how the brain, spinal cord and
nervous system function. They cause mental retardation, including Down
syndrome and fragile X syndrome. They also cause learning and behavioral
disorders, such as autism
Sensory-related disabilities, which can cause vision, hearing and sight
problems
Metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, which affect how your body
processes the materials it needs to function
Degenerative disorders such as Rett syndrome, which might only become
apparent when children are older and can cause physical and mental
problems
Most developmental disabilities have no cure, but you can often treat the
symptoms. Physical, speech and occupational therapy might help. Special
education classes and psychological counseling can also help.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Related Topics
Autism
Disabilities
Down Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Learning Disorders
Children and Teenagers
Mental Health and Behavior
National Institutes of Health
The primary NIH organization for research on Developmental Disabilities is
the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Website Contents
Overviews
Developmental Disabilities(American Psychiatric Association)
Developmental Disabilities - An Overview(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Latest News
Gene Mutation Tied to Majority of Cases of Mental Retardation(02/04/2009,
HealthDay)
Prevention/Screening
Child Development: Developmental Screening(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
Newborn Screening Tests(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Coping
Mental Retardation: Learning How to Help Your Child(American Academy of
Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Mental Retardation: What Caregivers Need to Know(American Academy of
Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Specific Conditions
Angelman Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
Developmental Dyspraxia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke)
Intellectual Disability(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Intellectual Disability (formerly Mental Retardation)(National
Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities)
Multisystem Developmental Disorder(Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Online)
Williams Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Related Issues
Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver's Guide(National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research)
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)(Nemours Foundation)
Occupational Therapy(Nemours Foundation)
Partnering with Your Child's School: A Guide for Parents(HSC Foundation) -
Links to PDF
Also available in Spanish
Physical Therapy(Nemours Foundation)
Sexuality and Intellectual Disability(American Association on Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities)
Speech-Language Therapy(Nemours Foundation)
What Is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?(American Academy of
Pediatrics) - Links to PDF
Videos
Baby Steps: Learn the Signs. Act Early(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Developmental Disabilities(National Institutes of
Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Mental Retardation(National Institutes of Health)
Genetics
Genetics Home Reference: 1p36 deletion syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Angelman syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Aspartylglucosaminuria(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Coffin-Lowry syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Cornelia de Lange syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Costello syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Cri-du-chat syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Emanuel syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: FG syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Mowat-Wilson syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Smith-Magenis syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Williams syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
Genetics Home Reference: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome(National Library of
Medicine)
Research
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities(National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development)
Mental Retardation(National Institutes of Health) - Links to PDF
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of
Medicine)
Article: MAP'ing CNS development and cognition: an ERKsome process.
Article: Parenting behavior is associated with the early neurobehavioral
development of...
Article: Neuropsychological performance 10 years after immunization in
infancy with thimerosal-containing...
Developmental Disabilities -- see more articles
Mental retardation -- see more articles
Dictionaries/Glossaries
Kids' Quest on Disability and Health: Glossary(Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention)
Directories
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities(Administration on
Developmental Disabilities)
State Resources (Disability-Related)(National Dissemination Center for
Children with Disabilities)
Organizations
Administration on Developmental Disabilities
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities(Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention)
Also available in Spanish
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Also available in Spanish
Law and Policy
Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA Home Page(Dept. of Justice)
Categories of Disability under IDEA Law(National Dissemination Center for
Children with Disabilities)
Also available in Spanish
Services in School for Children with Special Needs: What Parents Need to
Know(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Statistics
Disability Characteristics(Bureau of the Census)
Children
Coping with Disaster: Suggestions for Helping Children with Cognitive
Disabilities(Administration for Children and Families)
Kids' Quest on Disability and Health(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
Mental Retardation(Nemours Foundation)
Seniors
Mental Retardation(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
Older Adults and Their Aging Caregivers(American Association on
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
DISABILITIES: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES :
CHILDREN: DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
National Institutes of Health.
Developmental Disabilities
Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
National Institutes of Health.
Developmental Disabilities
<http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/developmental_disabilities.cfm>
Developmental Disabilities
What are developmental disabilities?
Developmental disabilities are birth defects related to a problem with how
a body part or body system works. They may also be known as functional
birth defects. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or
systems.
What are the different types of developmental disabilities?
Nervous system disabilities
These are birth defects that affect the functioning of the brain, spinal
cord, and nervous system, which can impact intelligence and learning.
These conditions can also cause problems such as behavioral disorders,
speech or language difficulties, convulsions, and movement disorders.
Some of the common nervous system disabilities include:
Mental retardation - The term mental retardation describes a certain range
of scores on an IQ (intelligence quotient) test. Mental retardation can
result from a number of different conditions, including (but not limited
to):
Down syndrome - a set of mental and physical characteristics related to
having an extra copy of Chromosome 21.
Fragile X syndrome- the most common inherited form of mental retardation
caused by a defect in a specific part of the Fragile X Mental
Retardation-1 gene that causes the body to produce low amounts or none of
a certain protein. Without the protein, the brain doesnt develop
normally.
Autism Spectrum Disorders - a range of problems that can affect a person's
communication skills, social skills, and intelligence. Because autism is
diagnosed on a spectrum, people with this condition can have mild symptoms
or severe symptoms; but they all have a type of autism.
Sensory-related disabilities Sensory-related problems are often a key part
of complex birth defect patterns. For instance:
Children with congenital rubella are likely to be deaf, and to develop
cataracts of the eyes.
Children with Williams syndrome have trouble seeing spatial relationships
between objects around them.
Those with Fragile X syndrome are often very sensitive to loud noises;
they may overreact or have outbursts in reaction to such sounds.
Metabolic Disorders
This group of functional birth defects affects a person's metabolism,
which is the way the body builds up, breaks down, and otherwise processes
the materials it needs to function. For example, how your body breaks down
sugar to create energy is a metabolic process. Two commonly known
metabolic disorders include:
Phenylketonuria (PKU) - a condition in which a problem with a specific
enzyme, a protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions, causes mental
retardation.
Hypothyroidism - a hormonal condition that, if left untreated in an
infant, can cause mental retardation.
Degenerative Disorders
Some infants born with degenerative disorders appear normal at birth, but
then lose abilities or functions due to the in condition. In these cases,
the defect is usually not detected until an older age, when the child or
person starts to show signs of loss of function. Some degenerative
disorders are the result of metabolic disorders.
Degenerative disorders can cause physical, mental, and sensory problems,
depending on the specific defect. Rett syndrome is an example of a
degenerative birth defect. This disorder, which usually affects girls, is
most often caused by a specific genetic abnormality.
What are the treatments for developmental disabilities?
Many developmental disabilities have no cure, but there are often ways to
treat the symptoms. For example:
Children with Down syndrome can often benefit from speech therapy,
occupational therapy, and exercises for gross and fine motor skills. They
might also be helped by special education and attention at school.
Surgery can also help correct heart defects.
People with Fragile X syndrome can get help to reduce or eliminate some of
the learning, physical, social and emotional, speech and language, and
sensory problems common in Fragile X. The sooner those with Fragile X get
help, the more they can learn and the better their outcomes.
There are a variety of treatment options to help with the symptoms of
autism spectrum disorders. This may include behavioral, occupational,
physical, and speech-language therapy. In addition, educational
specialists can help guide the childs school experiences.
Girls with Rett syndrome can be treated for some of the problems
associated with the condition. These treatments generally aim to slow the
loss of abilities, improve or preserve movement, and encourage
communication and social contact. Treatments may include help from
physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language
therapists. Other options, such as medication or surgery are also
effective for treating some of the symptoms of Rett syndrome.
Treatment for hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, includes daily oral
hormone treatment.
The most effective treatment for PKU is a special diet that carefully
limits the protein phenylalanine (Phe). People with PKU who are on this
diet from birth or shortly thereafter develop normally and usually have no
symptoms of PKU.
Where can I get more information on developmental disabilities?
Facts about Down syndrome
Autism Overview: What We Know
Families and Fragile X Syndrome
Rett Syndrome
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