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COGNITIVE AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENT. FIRST

Unit

Human development
Unit .1 Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development
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Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Contents

1. Definition
2. Causes of developmental disorders in children
2.1 Social deprivation
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2.2 Genetic disorders

2.3 Immunological disorders
2.4 Infectious diseases
2.5 Nutritional factors
2.6 Physical trauma
2.7 Toxic and environmental factors
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3. Effects of developmental disorders

3.1 Behavioural problems
3.2 Learning disability
3.3 Autism spectrum disorders

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Neurodevelopmental disorders

Definition and causes

The development of the nervous system is regulated and programmed;

it is influenced by both genetic programmes and the environment.

Any significant deviation from the normal developmental trajectory early

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in life can result in absent or abnormal neural architecture or

connectivity.

Because of this complexity of development, there are many potential

factors that can affect different areas of the nervous system at different
times and ages.

Such causes may include:

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Social deprivation
Genetic disorders
Immunological disorders
Infectious diseases
Nutritional factors
Physical trauma
Toxic and environmental factors.

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Social deprivation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCeWr8OFuEs

Social deprivation has a measurable effect on a

child's brain growth.
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Severe psychological and physical neglect produces

measurable changes in children's brains. Different
studies show, by means of MRI scans, that grey and
white matter in the brain decrease among children in
institutional care.

Children exposed to extreme early life neglect such

as in institutional rearing are at heightened risk for
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developing depression and anxiety disorders, and

internalizing problems more broadly.

These outcomes are believed to be due to alterations

in the development of neural circuitry that supports
emotion regulation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3j5UVCSCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aymvX-OrlS0

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Genetic disorderes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqjGSDgeTUY

Genetics can play an important role in many neurodevelopmental

disorders, and some cases of certain conditions such as intellectual
disability are associated with specific genes.
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However, most neurodevelopmental disorders have complex and multiple

contributors rather than any one clear cause.

These disorders likely result from a combination of genetic, biological,

psychosocial and environmental risk factors.
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Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Disorders of the immune system

Immune reactions during pregnancy, both maternal and of the

developing child, may produce neurodevelopmental disorders.
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The developing immune system and central nervous system of the

foetus and child are extremely sensitive to exogenous and
endogenous signals.

Studies suggest that some immune disorders in early development

may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism
spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
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Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Infectious diseases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaQdv_dBDqM

Viruses and bacterial organisms sometimes invade

the body, infecting various organs and causing
everything from mild disturbances to serious problems.
Neurological infections occur when these viruses and
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bacterial organisms invade the nervous system.

A number of infectious diseases can be transmitted

congenitally (either before or at birth), and can cause
serious neurodevelopmental problems, as for example
the viruses HSV or rubella.
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The most common neurological infections are:

Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which can
be caused by either bacteria or virus.
Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that
cover the brain and spinal cord, which can be caused
by either bacteria or virus.

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Nutritional factors

Nutrition plays an important role in

neurodevelopment in children and in
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preventing neurodegeneration during

aging.

Nutrition disorders and nutritional

deficits may cause
neurodevelopmental disorders, such
as spina bifida, and the rarely
occurring anencephaly, both of which
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are neural tube defects with

malformation and dysfunction of the
nervous system and its supporting
structures, leading to serious physical
disability and emotional sequelae.

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Physical trauma

Brain trauma in the developing human is a common cause of

neurodevelopmental syndromes.
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It may be subdivided into two major categories:

Congenital injury (including injury resulting from otherwise uncomplicated

premature birth) .Common causes of congenital injury are asphyxia
(obstruction of the trachea), hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) and the
mechanical trauma of the birth process itself.

Injury occurring in infancy or childhood.

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Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Toxic and environmental factors

Environmental pollutants are associated with adverse effects on the
developing child's brain and nervous system in multiple studies. exposure to
pollutants in childhood is associated with reduced cognitive function,
including lower intelligence quotient (iQ) and lower academic performance.
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Other toxic elements can cause permanent physical sequelae such as

malformations or motor difficulties.

Examples of toxic elements include:

Drugs such as Thalidomide.

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Lead
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Effects of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Behavioural difficulties

For example, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It

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is a disruptive behavior disorder characterized by symptoms of

inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, occurring in several
settings and more frequently and severely than is typical for
other individuals in the same stage of development.
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Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Effects of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Learning disability

Learning disability (or learning disorder) is a

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general term for a neurological disorder that

affects the way in which a child’s brain can
receive, process, retain, and respond to
information.

A child with a learning disability may have

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trouble learning and using certain skills,

including reading, writing, listening, speaking,
reasoning, and doing math, although learning
disabilities vary from child to child

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development

 Effects of neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental

disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn,
and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described
as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the
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first two years of life.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric
Association that health care providers use to diagnose mental
disorders, people with ASD often have:

• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people

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• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors

• Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other
areas of life

Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in

the type and severity of symptoms people experience.

Unit1Neurodevelopmental disorders of child development