| Children serve as binder in a family. Their pure, innocent | | | | normally or look normal physically and then withdraw |
| and angelic traits tend to bring love and sympathy | | | | and become indifferent to social engagement. |
| which is a bonding factor in every family. Those with | | | | Herewith, are predominant learning disabilities and |
| handicapped, who are suffering from mental | | | | behavioral disorders that need special attention by |
| retardation, autism and other behavioral disorder or | | | | parents and caregivers:a) Autism - is diagnosed as a |
| learning disabilities need serious attention and care. | | | | developmental disability resulting from neurological |
| These children may draw genuine sympathy and love | | | | disorder that affects the normal functioning of the |
| from the people caring for them, they may also attract | | | | brain. Most autistics however, can be taught to |
| feelings of self pity and crippling hopelessness to those | | | | capitalize on their strengths and compensate for their |
| who feel sorry for having them. Whatever treatment | | | | weaknesses with the help of an appropriate education |
| you may give, these children need loving tender care | | | | program. Over twenty percent of them can grow up |
| and attention by their parents and care givers as well. | | | | to become functional adults living by themselves and |
| Mental retardation occurs when something injures the | | | | have gainful employment.b) ADHD (Attention Deficit |
| brain or if something prevents the brain from | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder) - is diagnosed applied to |
| developing or functioning normally. It can happen while | | | | children and adults who consistently display certain |
| the baby is in the womb or it may happen after his | | | | characteristic behaviors over a period of time like poor |
| birth. The baby could become mentally retarded if his | | | | sustained attention to tasks, impaired impulse control |
| mother contracted certain infections during her | | | | and delay gratification, excessive activity and physical |
| pregnancy such as rubella and toxoplasma, among | | | | restlessness. Scientists say that ADHD is likely caused |
| others. A mentally retarded baby could also be | | | | by biological factors which influence neurotransmitter |
| conceived if the mother took medicines not prescribed | | | | activity in certain parts of the brain, which have a |
| by doctors intended for pregnant women or drank | | | | strong genetic basis. There is a great deal of evidence |
| alcohol during her pregnancy, or if she suffered from | | | | that ADHD runs in families which suggest of genetic |
| genetic problems. Sometimes the baby is born without | | | | factors. If a person in a family is diagnosed with ADHD |
| any problem, but when the baby contracted serious | | | | chances are that twenty five percent to thirty five |
| infections, it can generally affects the baby brain | | | | percent any other family has ADHD. Effective |
| development. A serious head injury, malnutrition or | | | | treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication |
| unhealthy living conditions and exposure to lead based | | | | and behavioral therapy or counseling. Medication is |
| paint from toys can also cause mental retardation as | | | | often used to normalize brain activity as prescribed by |
| what an OB- Gynecologist has said. | | | | the physician. Stimulant medications are commonly |
| It is also advised that couples planning to have babies | | | | used because they have shown effectiveness for |
| would do well, to allow themselves to undergo tests to | | | | most people with ADHD. Behavioral therapy or |
| determine if they are at risk of having a child with | | | | counseling are often helpful to modify certain behavior |
| certain medical conditions. Pregnant women should | | | | and deal with emotional effects of ADHD. Many adults |
| always eat healthy foods and avoid alcohol and drugs. | | | | also has also benefited from working with ADHD |
| Babies should also undergo blood tests to check for | | | | coach to help manage problem behavior, develop |
| certain problems that can cause mental retardation like | | | | coping skills such as improving organization, skill and |
| inborn errors of metabolism which can be detected by | | | | productivity. |
| newborn screening tests. Parents should also prevent | | | | Parents of children with learning disabilities should not |
| brain and head injury to their kids to happen. It is | | | | lose hope in the treatment in such affliction. What is |
| advised that parents has to keep an eye on their | | | | important however, is for parents,teachers, medical |
| young children. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment | | | | and behavioral professionals to discover the child's |
| of any mental or behavioral disorder the better the | | | | learning disability early. The kind of help that can be |
| prognosis for good outcome. | | | | immediately accorded to the child and give him the |
| Baby check ups are important because part of what | | | | chance to develop whatever skills he has to lead a |
| the pediatrician will evaluate is the developmental | | | | successful and productive life. |
| milestones of the child. Babies may appear to develop | | | | |