Developmental Disabilities

A condition related to brain development that affects how people see others and socialize with them, as well as limited and repeated patterns of behavior
“Spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity of symptoms
Signs usually appear by age 3
Treatment: there is no cure for austim and no one treatment that is right for everyone – treatment seeks to support learning, development, and behavior
- Treatment may include behavior and communication therapies, family therapies, and a range of medications.

ADHD is a chronic condition, known to impact academic performance, personal achievements, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning
- One of the most common mental disorders among children
Symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, lack of organization
Treatment: stimulat medicines (amphetamines, methylphenidates), behavior therapy, lifestyle and home remedies
- Medication comes with significant concerns to consider
- Treatment cannot cure ADHD, but aims to manage symptoms

Learning disabilities among children do not affect intelligence, but how they learn, specifically how their brains process information (acquire, organize, retain, understand, and use)
Dyslexia: a disruption in how the brain processes written words, making reading and language-related tasks more difficult
- Ex: difficulty with spelling, learning the names of letters, rhyming
Dysgraphia: affects the ability to turn thoughts into written language
- Ex: difficulty with handwriting legibility, spelling, grammar, speed of writing
Dyscalculia: affects the ability to understand number-based information and math
- Ex: difficulty counting, simple calculations, memorizing multiplication tables

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Social Work Roles and Resources