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Common children disabilities


10 common disabilities American children have

A 10-year analysis found that disabilities among American kids are on the rise, especially mental and developmental issues, according to The Associated Press. In 2012, 8 percent of American children were reported to have disabilities, compared to 7 percent in 2000.

There’s a gap, too, when it comes to wealth. Wealthier families have seen a rise in these issues, while “disadvantaged kids still bear a disproportionate burden,” the AP reported. The study found 10 percent of kids stuck in poverty had disabilities, while 6 percent of wealthier kids were impacted.

“The increases may partly reflect more awareness and recognition that conditions, including autism, require a specific diagnosis to receive special services, the researchers said,” according to the AP.

What disabilities are kids diagnosed with in today’s America? Here are 10 learning disabilities that American children are facing today:

Autism

In America, one in 68 kids has autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most kids are diagnosed with autism between 2 and 6 months old, studies have found, and it tends to impact boys more than girls. But some potential signs of autism are sometimes hidden in plain sight.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Kids who are unfocused and lack undivided attention skills are sometimes diagnosed with ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In fact, 9 percent of Americans kids between the ages of 13 and 18 suffer from ADHD, with 4.1 percent of American adults having been affected by the disability, too, NIH reported. Symptoms include failing to pay attention and becoming bored in tasks.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain's development is slowed or damaged and a person can no longer function well physically, according to WebMD. It usually develops in kids when they are 2 or 3 years old, and affects more than 10,000 infants every year, WebMD reported.

Down syndrome

The National Down Syndrome Society reported that Down syndrome affects one in every 691 kids (about 6,000) every year, with 400,000 Americans overall having the disability. It occurs when parents pass on an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to extra material in the brain, according to the society. Down syndrome usually leads to some physical issues, like having a smaller stature and slanted eyes. But what happens to Down syndrome kids from a mental syndrome differs from kid to kid, the society said.

Epilepsy

Across the world, 65 million people have been diagnosed with epilepsy, including 2 million in the United States, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsy is a brain development disability that causes people to have seizures. A common way to spot epilepsy is if someone has two or more seizures within a 24-hour period, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

Spina bifida

According to the Spina Bifida Association, spina bifida is one of the most common disabilities for children in the United States as eight babies every day are born with the split-spine disability. This requires kids to use wheelchairs, crutches or even braces to move around.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is an issue that causes kids and adults to have trouble processing language, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. About 15 percent of Americans have trouble with reading, which may be associated with the disability, the center reported. The disease can impact how a kid reads and writes in school, thus making it a major issue for parents across America.

Dyscalculia

Much like dyslexia, dyscalculia is a learning disability that is connected to reading — only it deals with math problems, according to the NCLD. Those with dyscalculia — about 6 percent of the population — have a tough time stringing together the equations that they see on paper. This leads to trouble solving mathematic problems or sitting through math classes, even if they perform well in other subjects.

Intellectual disability

This is a broad term to describe those who may have some mental limitations in what they can learn and understand. According to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, intellectual disabilities can impact the way kids think, talk and walk. Some with intellectual disabilities can eventually learn things like other kids, but it takes more time and effort to try to understand everything they learn.

Depression

Depression is something that impacts more than 50 percent of adults, and it can also have an impact on kids. Psychology expert Michael Watson cited a case study that found people can be less productive in school or work if they have depression. One way to combat depression, Watson said, is to have people around to support them.

Email: [email protected], Twitter: @herbscribner

What is a childhood disability?

What is a childhood disability? | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

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What is disability?

A person with disability may be unable to perform certain functions as well as most other people. The disability may be physical; it may involve senses, including seeing or hearing; it may involve finding it difficult or impossible to think clearly; or it may involve mental health. Many people with a disability have full abilities in other areas.

Disability is common — about 1 in 50 children has a disability. There are many types of disability, including disabilities that children are born with, disabilities that develop after birth, and disabilities that are caused by injury.

Children with disability may have special needs and require early intervention and as much support as possible.

Common disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and intellectual and physical disabilities create challenges with thinking, behaviour and skill development.

Childhood disability

Disability in childhood can have a lifelong impact on a person’s physical, mental and emotional health, as well as their social situation. Children with disability may have special needs, particularly regarding health and education, and may need to negotiate significant social and environmental barriers in order to fully participate in everyday life.

Congenital disorders

A congenital disorder is a condition that is present from birth. It can be inherited or caused by environmental factors. Common congenital disorders include:

  • intellectual disability — where a child takes longer to learn than others and may experience delays in their development
  • Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) — a common genetic condition that causes intellectual disability
  • cerebral palsy — a physical disability that makes it hard for a child to control how their body moves
  • Fragile X syndrome — an inherited condition that causes intellectual disability and learning and behaviour problems

Find out more here about congenital disorders.

Developed after birth

Some disabilities develop after birth. These include hearing problems, heart conditions, and blood, metabolism and hormone disorders. Detecting these problems soon after birth can prevent them from becoming more serious physical, intellectual, visual or hearing disabilities.

Autism

Autism is a disability that is now known by the term ‘autism spectrum disorder’.

Children aren’t usually diagnosed with autism until after they have reached 2 years of age. Although its causes are not fully understood, autism has been linked to genetic factors.

Caused by injury

Physical, mental and behavioural disabilities can occur when a trauma or injury (such as falling from a height) affects the brain. Other causes of acquired brain injury include loss of oxygen (for example, due to asthma or after a near- drowning), infection (such as meningitis) and stroke.

Severe physical injuries, such as spinal cord injury or losing an arm or leg in an accident, can cause physical disability.

Developmental delay or disability?

Disabilities are different from developmental delays. A child with a developmental delay is developing skills more slowly than most other children. This does not mean they have disability.

Not all children develop at the same rate, so some children naturally take longer to develop than others. Developmental delays can be short or long-term and can happen in any area of your child’s development.

In contrast, disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, some speech disorders, hearing impairment and intellectual disability will last for your child’s whole life. They will have permanent delays in the area of their disability.

Sources:
Raising Children Network (Intellectual disability), Raising Children Network (Down syndrome), Raising Children Network (Cerebral palsy), Raising Children Network (Fragile X syndrome), Raising Children Network (Acquired brain injury (ABI)), Raising Children Network (Developmental delay), Raising Children Network (Autism: overview), Raising Children Network (Newborn screening), World Health Organization (Congenital anomalies)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: June 2021


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Intellectual disability | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

What is intellectual disability? A child with an intellectual disability learns and develops slower than other children