developmental disorder

developmental

 [de-vel″up-men´t'l]

pertaining to development.

developmental disorder

1. developmental disability.

2. a former classification of chronic disorders of mental development with onset in childhood. Such disorders are now classifed as mental retardation, learning disorders, motor skills disorder, communication disorders, or pervasive developmental disorders.

developmental tasks fundamental achievements that must be accomplished at each stage of life, arising at or near critical stages in the maturation of an individual; successful attainment leads to a healthy self-image and success with later tasks. Failure to achieve developmental tasks at one stage leads to unhappiness in the individual, disapproval of society, and difficulty in accomplishing later developmental tasks.

Two major primary origins of developmental tasks are physical maturation and cultural pressures and privileges. Secondary origins are derived from the first two and are found in the aspirations and values of the individual.

Family developmental tasks are those that must be attained to assure survival of the family and its continuance as a unit. Examples include (1) providing shelter, food, clothing, health care, and other essentials needed by its members, (2) establishing ways of interacting, communicating, and expressing affection, (3) maintaining morale and motivation, (4) rewarding achievement, (5) meeting personal and family crises, (6) setting attainable goals for family members, and (7) developing family loyalties and values.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

developmental disorder

Psychiatry An impairment in normal development of language, motor, cognitive and/or motor skills, generally recognized before age 18 which is expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial impairment Etiology Mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, other neurologic conditions–eg, autism

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Patient discussion about developmental disorder

Q. Is pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) or autism is fatal……what exactly it is……?

A. Autism is not fatal in its symptom and progression but it can become fatal as it does impair normal physiological function it CAN BE a fatal condition. It’s a group of illness which involves delays in the development of basic skills. It happens to children below age 3. It affects the child`s ability to communicate and interact. Autism affected children are also found to be mentally retarded.

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