Developmental disorders in children encompass various conditions affecting physical, communication, social, emotional, and cognitive development, requiring intervention and specialized care. Key types include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and genetic disorders like Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome, with diverse causes such as prenatal factors and genetic mutations. Early intervention programs focus on enhancing communication, cognitive skills, and supporting families, utilizing therapies like speech and occupational therapy.

2. What are Developmental Disorders?
Developmental disorders in children refer to a range of conditions that can affect
their physical, communication, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Each disorder comes with its own individual challenges for the child and family.
Most developmental disorders require intervention and specialized care.

3. Types of Developmental Disorders
There are two types of developmental disorders. They are:
Diagnosed at Birth Diagnosed between 3 and 5 years of age

4. Autism/ Autism Spectrum Disorder
● Neurobehavioral condition
● Impairs social interaction, and language and communication skills
Children with autism may appear to be rigid and unyielding, exhibiting repetitive
behaviours.
Due to this complex range of symptoms, autism is now called autism spectrum
disorder or ASD.
The severity of ASD can vary from being a handicap that prevents a person from
leading a normal life to a devastating disability that may require admission to a
rehabilitation center.

5. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
● Impairs child’s ability to control their spontaneous responses
● Can lead to behaviors such as:
○ Inattentiveness
○ Inability to follow instructions
○ Dislike for routine
○ Tendency to blurt out remarks
Some children with ADHD may also display hyperactive behavior.

6. Cerebral Palsy
● Group of disorders
● Impairs a child’s posture, proprioception (sense of balance), coordination, and
mobility
● Caused by abnormal brain development or irreparable damage to the immature
and/or developing brain
● Typically, result of trauma during pregnancy or shortly after birth

7. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
● Group of complex, lifelong, and typically disabling conditions
● May occur in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy
● Encompasses a wide range of cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral
challenges

8. Down Syndrome / Trisomy 21
● Genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21
● Typically causes a range of cognitive and physical characteristics

9. Fragile X Syndrome
● Genetic disorder
● Most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, especially among boys
● Caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene
● Results in the production of a non-functioning protein that affects brain
functioning and development

10. Spina Bifidia
● Congenital neural tube defect
● Occurs during early fetal development when the spinal column does not close
properly
● One of the most common birth defects
● Impacts the central nervous system
● Causes a range of neurological and physical challenges

11. Muscular Dystrophy
● Inherited developmental disorder
● Characterised by degeneration of muscle and progressive muscle weakness
● Caused by mutations in the genes responsible for the structure and function of
muscle fibers
● Each type has its typical features, disease progression, and inheritance patterns

12. Velocardiofacial Syndrome
● Genetic disorder
● Caused by the deletion of a small piece of chromosome 22
● Affects various systems in the body
● Causes a range of developmental, physical, and medical issues
● Also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
● Most mysterious developmental disorder

13. Causes of Developmental Disorders
● Prenatal Conditions
○ Premature birth
○ Maternal infections
○ Exposure to teratogens (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, certain medications)
● Perinatal Conditions
○ Low birth weight
○ Traumatic birth
○ Birth complications (oxygen deprivation)

14. Causes of Developmental Disorders
● Postnatal Conditions
○ Nutritional deficiencies
○ Exposure to environmental toxins
○ Traumatic brain injuries
● Genetic Factors
○ Chromosomal abnormalities
○ Inherited genetic traits (autism is believed to have a genetic component)
○ Genetic mutations/alterations
● Neurological Factors
○ Structural abnormalities or malformations in the brain
○ Neurotransmitter imbalance
Family history, maternal health, late initiation or inadequate prenatal care are some of
the greatest risk factors of developmental disorders.

15. Red Flags of Developmental Disorders
● Cognitive and/or intellectual symptoms
○ Learning difficulties
○ Short-term memory issues
○ Intellectual disabilities
○ Executive functioning problems
● Communication symptoms
○ Speech delays
○ Language delays
○ Verbal and non-verbal communication problems

16. Red Flags of Developmental Disorders
● Behavioral symptoms
○ Anxiety
○ Phobia
○ Emotional dysregulation
○ Depression
○ Mood disorders
○ Aggression
○ Tendency to self-harm
○ Fixations or unusually obsessive behaviors
● Social Symptoms
○ Repetitive behaviors - hand flapping, rocking, unable to accept changes to
routine
○ Lacking in empathy
○ Inability to initiate social interaction
○ Overreacting to sensory stimuli - sensitivity to sound, light, textures, or touch

17. Red Flags of Developmental Disorders
● Gross and fine motor challenges
● Impaired hand-eye coordination
● Sudden/gradual loss of previously acquired skills, such as social abilities or
speech (regression)
● Delays in achieving developmental milestones
● Sleep problems

18. Early Intervention and Specialized Care at Plexus
We focus on:
● Developing communication and social skills
● Enabling your little one to build vocabulary, comprehend and apply new words
and phrases
● Improving their cognitive and behavioral skills
● Helping them acquire critical skills for daily living, learning, and social interaction
● Supporting you and your family to understand and cope with your child’s needs
● Fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment

19. Early Intervention and Specialized Care at Plexus
We use a combination of supportive measures, such as:
● Speech therapy
● Occupational therapy
● Physical therapy
● Behavioral interventions
● Parental education and counselling
● Early Intervention program
Our early intervention program identifies and addresses developmental challenges
in infants, toddlers, and young children. We work towards boosting your little one’s
developmental potential and improving their overall quality of life.

20. Reach out to Team Plexus to know more about our Early Intervention and
Specialized Care Programs.
Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087