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Mental Retardation

Symptoms

As an infant, the individual with mental retardation might sit up, crawl, or walk later than what is developmentally appropriate. He or she may have trouble talking or learn to talk late. The infant with mental retardation will probably have trouble learning to potty train, feeding himself or herself, remembering things, with problem-solving, and may have recurrent explosive tantrums. Some symptoms that a child with mental retardation might show are continued infant-like behavior, a lack of curiosity, the inability to meet educational demands, learning ability that is below average, and the failure to meet developmentally appropriate intellectual goals. Some children with severe mental retardation may have seizures, mobility problems, vision problem, or hearing problems.

Treatment

There is no treatment for mental retardation but there are plenty of services offered for those diagnosed to help them function in their everyday lives. Professionals will sometimes work out an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which documents the child's needs, as well as the services that would best help them specifically. Speech, physical, and occupational therapy may be offered. Intellectually disabled children can be placed in special education classes through the public school system, where the school and parents will map out an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This program lays out all of the services and classes the child will become involved in during their time in school.

Learning Disorders

Symptoms

Children with a learning disorder may display the following traits:

• have trouble reading aloud
• have trouble spelling, expressing themselves in writing, or in learning the alphabet
• have trouble following directions
• may have trouble comprehending what he or she reads
• have trouble remembering how to pronounce written words
• may have trouble organizing their thoughts to produce what he or she wants to say
• may misinterpret or confuse math symbols or numbers
• may not be able to retell a story in order
• may have trouble beginning or figuring out the next step of a task

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for children with learning disorders, but there are special programs and services offered to help them cope with their disorder. Children are taught new ways to interpret and understand information. Oftentimes, children with learning disorders can remain in their class, but may be pulled away to focus on trying to enhance their learning skills. Speech and language therapy is offered to those with learning disorders. Tutors are often beneficial.

Motor Skills Disorders

Symptoms

In infants, some babies may be hypotonia, a loose and floppy baby, or hypertonia, a stiff and rigid baby. Toddlers may have trouble feeding themselves or may stand, sit or walk later than what is developmentally normal. Other signs of motor skills disorders may be children that are clumsy or have excessive accidents, such as knocking things over. Children who have trouble with complex physical activities such as dancing, swimming, catching or throwing a ball, or drawing may avoid these activities completely.

Treatment

Different therapies are offered to children with motor skills disorders to help them improve their motor effectiveness. Many children work with an occupational and physical therapist, as well as educational professionals. This helpful combination is beneficial to the child. Cognitive therapy, sensory integration therapy, and kinesthetic training are often favorable treatment for the child.

Communication Disorders

Symptoms

Some children with communication disorders may not speak or may have a very limited vocabulary for their developmental period. Children with communication disorders may have trouble following directions or naming simple objects. During childhood, he or she may have trouble comprehending or forming sentences. As they get older, the child may have more trouble expressing or understanding abstract ideas.

Treatment

Speech and language therapists are often very reliable for helping children with communication disorders. Remedial techniques are often used to help the child communicate more and work on their existing problems. Another technique is to help push the child to work on their strengths to improve their communication skills.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Symptoms

Children with pervasive developmental disorders may exhibit the following symptoms:

• have trouble expressing or understanding ideas
• have trouble understanding non-verbal communication
• difficulty in social interactions
• temper tantrums
• aggressive behavior
• may play differently with toys than other children
• may have difficulty adjusting to new places or people
• anxious behavior

Treatment

A specific treatment plan is usually laid out for the child because of the wide range of behaviors and abilities in each child. Treatment often involves promoting better communication and socializing, and reducing behaviors that can be disruptive. Children with pervasive developmental disorders may be placed in special education classes, receive behavior modification training, speech, physical or occupational therapy, or medication.

Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders

Symptoms

Children with Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders may show the following symptoms:

• impulsivity or distractibility
• difficulty socializing
• aggressive behavior
• difficulty following rules or directions
• difficulty completing a task
• problems at school
• frustration
• alcohol or drug use

Treatment

Medication is often used to treat children with attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders. Individualized programs are available for children with these disorders in order to help them function in and complete school. It is the common belief that many of these disorders will disappear as the children get older, but recent research shows that it can carry on into adulthood.

Feeding and eating disorders of infancy or early childhood

Symptoms

Physical and emotional changes are often the most indicative symptoms of feeding and eating disorders of infancy or early childhood. The child's growth and development may be delayed due to the lack of necessary nutrients. The child will usually weigh much less than other children. Withdrawal and irritability are oftentimes associated with children that are malnourished.

Treatment

Since feeding and eating disorders in children can cause dangerous risks to the child, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be incredibly beneficial to children with feeding or eating disorders. Family therapy is usually encouraged in order to keep all members involved in nourishing the child.

Tic disorders

Symptoms

Children with a tic disorder may exhibit the following symptoms:

• overwhelming urge to make movement
• jerking of arms
• clenching of fists
• excessive eye blinking
• shrugging of shoulders
• kicking
• raising eyebrows
• flaring of nostrils
• production of repetitive noises such as grunting, clicking, moaning, snorting, squealing, or throat clearing

Treatment

As part of the treatment, family members and friends are advised not to call attention to the tics when the child is performing them. If they do, the child may develop more tics more frequently. Behavioral therapy and medication are often the choices of treatment for tic disorders in children.

Elimination disorders

Symptoms

The majority of children with enuresis show no other symptoms besides wetting the bed at night. If other symptoms are present, such as blood stains in their underwear or unusual pain, the child is likely to have a more serious medical problem. Children with encopresis are likely to exhibit symptoms such as; loss of appetite, loose or watery stools, abdominal pain, scratching or itching of anal area because of irritation, withdrawal from friends, or secretive attitude associated with bowel movements.

Treatment

Children usually "grow out" of their elimination disorders by the time they reach their teens. If treatment is necessary, the most effective choice for enuresis is behavior modification, which involves a special pad that the child sleeps on at night. If the pad gets wet, an alarm goes off and the child is directed to go to the bathroom. Stool softeners or laxatives are the choice of treatment for encopresis.

Other disorders of infancy, childhood, or adolescence

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder

• excessive stress when separated from home or family
• fear of being alone
• refusal to sleep alone
• clinginess
• excessive worry about safety
• excessive worry about getting lost
• frequent medical complaints with no cause
• refusal to go to school

Selective mutism

• unable to speak in certain social situations, even though they are comfortable speaking at home or with friends
• difficulty maintaining eye contact
• may have blank facial expressions
• stiff body movements
• may have a worrisome personality
• may be incredibly sensitive to sound
• difficulty with verbal and non-verbal expression
• may appear shy, when in reality, they have a fear of people.

Reactive attachment disorder of infancy or early childhood

• withdrawing from others
• aggressive attitude towards peers
• awkwardness or discomfort
• watching others but not engaging in social interaction

Stereotypic movement disorder

• head banging
• nail biting
• hitting or biting oneself
• hand waving or shaking
• rocking back and forth

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is oftentimes used to treat separation anxiety disorder. Family therapy may also be helpful to get to the core of the issue. Systemic desensitization techniques are usually used to help the child get used to being comfortable away from home.

Selective mutism

• It is important not to "enable" the child with selective mutism by allowing them to remain silent in the social settings that they are uncomfortable in. Both parents and teachers need to be involved in the treatment of selective mutism. The most important factor to remember is that the child does not have a speech disorder; it is an anxiety disorder.

Reactive attachment disorder of infancy or early childhood

• Treatment almost always involves the child and his or her parents or caregivers. Parents may need to take parenting skills classes and attend family therapy with the child. Individual therapy with the child and therapist is effective. Another technique is keeping close physical contact between the child and his or her parents.

Stereotypic movement disorder

• Behavioral techniques and psychotherapy are the most effective treatment for children with this disorder. It is important to change the child's environment so that they are unable to harm themselves. Medication is also effective.