According to the DSM-5 (2013), autism spectrum disorder is identified by two core areas: ongoing difficulties with social communication and interaction (such as back-and-forth conversation, nonverbal communication like eye contact and gestures, and building relationships), and restricted, repetitive behaviors (at least two of the following: repetitive movements or speech, a strong need for sameness, intense focused interests, or unusual reactions to sensory input). Symptoms begin in early development, significantly affect daily life, and are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay, though the two often occur together. Clinicians also rate current severity and note any related conditions. Earlier diagnoses of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified are now diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019):
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms during pregnancy and how the baby’s body functions as it grows in the womb and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. A medical term for having an extra copy of a chromosome is ‘trisomy.’ Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby.
Even though people with Down syndrome might act and look similar, each person has different abilities. People with Down syndrome usually have an IQ (a measure of intelligence) in the mildly-to-moderately low range and are slower to speak than other children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behavior, or may be overly active. All children struggle to focus or behave at times, but children with ADHD don’t simply grow out of it. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends. A child with ADHD might daydream a lot, forget or lose things, squirm or fidget, talk too much, make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks, have a hard time resisting temptation or taking turns, or have difficulty getting along with others.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), developmental disabilities are a group of conditions caused by an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. They begin during the developmental period, may affect day-to-day functioning, and usually last a person’s lifetime. Skills like taking a first step, smiling for the first time, or waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones, and children reach them in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move. Every child develops at their own pace, but milestones give a general idea of what to expect as a child grows. As a parent, you know your child best. If your child isn’t meeting the milestones for their age, or you think something is off with how they play, learn, speak, act, or move, talk to your child’s doctor and share your concerns. Don’t wait, because acting early can make a real difference.