Developmental Disorders
While all children learn at their own pace, and many often learn at a slower pace than others, there are some who are exceptionally challenged and may have a developmental disorder.
A developmental disorder may hinder how a child performs outside school in everyday tasks, such as dressing or feeding themselves. Developmental disorders are not the same as mental or physical disabilities, and they do not speak to a child’s intelligence.
In addition to autism spectrum disorder, some of the common developmental disorders that we diagnose and treat include:
Autism
Autism, or
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental disability. It impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others and typically appears very early on in childhood. This condition affects all children differently and to varying degrees, and these certain sets of behaviors unique to autism are assigned to a spectrum.
Behavioral and Mood Disorders
Children are often referred to a neurology specialist because of concerns about their moods and behavior. In some cases, a child may have both a neurological condition and a mood or behavioral disorder.
Developmental Delay
A developmental delay means that your child may not be meeting appropriate developmental milestones at certain ages regarding skills associated with:
- Cognitive thinking
- Social and emotional interaction
- Speech and language
- Fine and gross motor movements
- Everyday tasks such as dressing, feeding, and generally caring for one’s self