Developmental disability, intellectual disability, developmental delay, and mental retardation are all terms referring to an individual with significantly impaired cognitive functioning. An individual with an intelligent quotient below 70 is categorized as mentally retarded; however, the term mental retardation is seen as more derogatory and not politically correct with a larger group of people in today’s culture. Therefore, terms such as developmental disability are now being used more frequently as a description; although the term mental retardation is still used in many professional medical settings.
Children who have developmental disabilities or mental retardation learn at a slower pace than other children of a similar age. They may experience delays in mastering language, social skills and behaviors, problem solving skills, self care skills, and memory skills. Because they have more difficulty in learning, children with developmental challenges may require special education classes, and a slower and more repetitive learning process. Depending on the severity of the intellectual disability, the signs may not become apparent until the child begins school, where their inability to to learn new material or keep up with the class will likely be detected. If the level of intellectual disability is severe, the signs will very likely become apparent before the child begins school.
Developmental screening tests are available and the following signs can help make a determination if a child has developmental disabilities:
- IQ score below 70 on an intelligent quotient test
- Adaptive behavior score below average
- A significant delay at achieving developmental milestones compared to other children of a similar age
- Abnormal Denver developmental screening test
Causes of development disabilities or mental retardation:
- Developmental disabilities can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Environmental deprivation
- Lack of oxygen to the brain before, during, or after birth
- Infection
- Trauma
- Premature delivery
- Toxicity
Medical malpractice can lead to developmental disabilities if the doctor improperly uses the vacuum or forceps to remove the baby from the birth canal during a difficult delivery; this can cause traumatic brain injury. If the doctor fails to notice a significant reduction with the baby’s heart rate or other factors that may cause a lack of adequate supply of oxygen to the infant’s brain, this can lead to brain damage, including developmental disabilities or cerebral palsy.
Parents who suspect their child’s developmental disabilities may be from medical malpractice should contact the best birth defect lawyer possible, someone like Dr. Bruce Fagel, principle of the Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates for a free consultation at (800) 541-9376. Dr. Fagel is a medical malpractice attorney and a licensed medical doctor.
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