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Complementary and alternative medicine in developmental disabilities.

Developmental disabilities (DD) are defined as a diverse group of severe chronic conditions due to mental and/or physical impairments. Individuals with developmental disabilities have difficulty with major life activities including language, mobility, and learning. Developmental disabilities can begin anytime during development--from prenatal up to 22 years of age, and the disability usually lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are common conditions falling within the definition of developmental disabilities. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly utilized in the general population for treatment of everything from the common cold to complex and chronic medical conditions. This article reviews the prevalence of different types of CAM used for various developmental disabilities.

Child↗

Screening for developmental disabilities.

Developmental disabilities are responsible for a combination of severe physical, mental, psychological and social deficits. They develop before age 22 years and involve a little more than 1% of the population. Screening for developmental disabilities is the first step in their prevention. Various screening instruments are available for use throughout the developmental years that are designed to detect the wide variety of developmental problems that interfere with a developing person's optimal adaptation to his or her environment. The screening instruments must be inexpensive, reproducible, widely available and cost effective to the child, family and society.

Adult↗

A population-based study of the recurrence of developmental disabilities--Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program, 1991-94.

Serious developmental disabilities (DD) are quite common and affect approximately 2% of all school-aged children. The impact of DDs with respect to the need for special education services, medical care and the demand on family members can be enormous. While this impact can be magnified for families with more than one child with a DD, little is known regarding the epidemiology of recurrence of DDs. When the cause of a DD is unknown, genetic counsellors rely on recurrence risk estimates which for DDs are over 10 years old. The objectives of our study were to: (1) assess the contribution of recurrent cases to the prevalence of DDs; (2) provide current, population-based recurrence risk estimates; and (3) examine characteristics of the first affected child as predictors of recurrence. Two population-based data sources were used to identify all children born to the same mother during the period 1981-91 in the five-county metropolitan Atlanta area with at least one of four DDs: mental retardation (MR), cerebral palsy, hearing loss, or vision impairment. Recurrence risk estimates for these DDs ranged from 3% to 7% and were many times higher than the background prevalences. The risk of recurrence of DDs was greatest for MR - approximately eight times greater than the baseline MR prevalence. Isolated mild MR (IQ 50-70) was highly concordant between siblings with MR. Sex, race, and birthweight of the index child, maternal education, and maternal age were not significantly associated with recurrence risk. Further research is needed to investigate the roles of genetic and environmental factors on the recurrence of DDs, particularly isolated mild MR.

Child↗

Developmental disabilities: request for public comments on proposed developmental disabilities funding priorities for Projects of National Significance for Fiscal Year 1998--Administration on Developmental Disabilities, HHS. Notice of request for public comments on developmental disabilities tentative funding priority for Projects of National Significance for Fiscal Year 1998.

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) announced that public comments are being requested on tentative funding priorities for Fiscal Year 1998 Projects of National Significance prior to being announced in its final form. We welcome comments and suggestions on this proposed announcement and funding priority which will assist in bringing about the increased independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Adolescent↗

A multiple-source method for studying the prevalence of developmental disabilities in children: the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study is the first US, population-based epidemiologic study of the prevalence of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, and visual impairment among school-age children. The study population consisted of children who were 10 years of age between 1985 and 1987 and whose mothers were residents of the five Georgia counties of Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett at the time of the child's birth. Since children with developmental disabilities are identified by and receive services from various health, social service, and education systems, a multiple-source case identification method was used. This study is unique in that individual school records were used to identify children with the four disabilities. Use of a multiple-source method made it possible to confirm specific conditions and to classify subtypes of disabilities. About 95% of the children with one or more of these four disabilities were initially identified through the school systems. This approach is much less costly than conducting medical and psychologic assessments on populations of children. In addition, this method made it possible to estimate accurately the "administrative prevalence" of these disabilities (ie, the number of children previously identified with these disabilities for the purpose of providing services). The prevalence rates found in this study, per 1000 10-year-old children, were as follows: mental retardation, 10.3; cerebral palsy, 2.0; hearing impairment, 1.0; and visual impairment, 0.6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebral Palsy↗

Prevalence of four developmental disabilities among children aged 8 years--Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program, 1996 and 2000.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: In the United States, developmental disabilities affect approximately 17% of children aged <18 years, resulting in substantial financial and social costs. REPORTING PERIOD: 1996 and 2000. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP) monitors the occurrence of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, vision impairment, and autism spectrum disorders among children aged 8 years in the five-county metropolitan Atlanta area (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett). MADDSP uses a multiple source ascertainment methodology. RESULTS: During 1996, the prevalence of mental retardation was 15.5 per 1,000 children aged 8 years; it decreased to 12.0 per 1,000 in 2000. The overall prevalence of cerebral palsy was 3.6 per 1,000 in 1996 and 3.1 per 1,000 in 2000. The prevalence of mental retardation and cerebral palsy was highest among males and black children. The prevalence of hearing loss was 1.4 per 1,000 in 1996 and 1.2 per 1,000 in 2000; the prevalence of vision impairment during 1996 was 1.4 per 1,000 and 1.2 per 1,000 in 2000. Minimal differences by study year were observed in the prevalence of all four disabilities when examined by sex, race, and severity. INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of these four select developmental disabilities in MADDSP was higher in 1996 than the annual average prevalence estimates for these disabilities during previous MADDSP study years (1991-1994) study years; the highest increase was observed among children with mental retardation. However, prevalence estimates during 2000 were more consistent with the estimates from the early 1990s. Data from additional surveillance years (2002 and beyond) are needed to determine if the prevalence for 1996 was an anomaly and to continue to monitor trends in the prevalence of developmental disabilities over time. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: MADDSP data will continue to be used to examine trends in the occurrence of these disabilities over time, facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate intervention programs, and provide a framework for conducting population-based etiologic studies.

Autistic Disorder↗

Prevalence of selected developmental disabilities in children 3-10 years of age: the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program, 1991.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Serious developmental disabilities affect approximately 2% of school-age children and are lifelong conditions that incur substantial financial and societal costs. REPORTING PERIOD: January 1991-December 1991. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP) monitors the prevalence of four serious developmental disabilities--mental retardation, cerebral palsy, vision impairment, and hearing impairment--among children 3-10 years of age in the five-county metropolitan-Atlanta area. Children who have at least one of the four developmental disabilities are ascertained through annual review of records at schools, hospitals, and other sources. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: During 1991, rates for mental retardation varied by age, race, and sex; rates ranged from 5.2 per 1,000 children to 16.6 per 1,000 children. Regardless of the absolute rate of mental retardation in each of the age-, race-, and sex-specific categories, severe mental retardation (i.e., an intelligence quotient of <50) accounted for one third of all cases. The overall crude rate of cerebral palsy was 2.4 per 1,000 children; however, the rate was higher among black children (3.1 per 1,000 children) than among white children (2.0 per 1,000 children). The rate of moderate to severe hearing impairment was 1.1 per 1,000 children, and the rate of vision impairment was 0.8 per 1,000 children. Rates of hearing impairment were higher among black males than among children in the other race and sex groups, whereas rates for vision impairment varied only slightly between these groups. The rates of the developmental disabilities were not adjusted for possible confounding factors (e.g., maternal education, family income, and various medical conditions). Consequently, the variation in rates may reflect social or other characteristics unique to the study population. ACTIONS TAKEN: MADDSP data will be used to direct early childhood intervention efforts to reduce the prevalence of these four developmental disabilities. MADDSP data also are being used to measure progress toward the year 2000 national objectives for the prevention of serious mental retardation.

Cerebral Palsy↗

A pediatric overview of the spectrum of developmental disabilities.

The developmental disabilities are specific diagnoses on a spectrum of chronic neurologic handicaps. Complete diagnosis and habilitation planning demands awareness of the underlying continuum of cerebral dysfunction common to all the disabilities. Careful attention to this continuum can result in the recognition of critically important associated deficits. Developmental dissociation is a useful developmental phenomenon in the early diagnosis of a particular disability. Developmental deviancy is an aid in early detection of milder disabilities or associated deficits. Professionals familiar with the entire spectrum are necessary to provide optimal care for developmentally disabled children.

Autistic Disorder↗

Ethical research with the developmentally disabled.

The developmentally disabled constitute a vulnerable population in the context of nontherapeutic experimentation. Their vulnerability is characterized by diminished decision-making capacity and by susceptibility to coercive situations that may bring voluntariness into question. The international consensus is that research involving this population should be permitted, but only if the consent of a legal guardian is obtained and appropriate safeguards are introduced. Therefore, legislation regulating the ethical conduct of research should be enacted, including provision for substituted consent in the research context. Although researchers seeking the participation of a developmentally disabled individual in a protocol must presume the person to be capable of participating in the decision, they must conduct competency assessments if the person's ability to make such a decision is in doubt. Information must be presented in such a way as to maximize the individual's contribution, and capacity must be reevaluated on an ongoing basis. In addition, research on the developmentally disabled presents specific challenges to establish competency, the selection of subjects, the characteristics of the decision maker, and the model to be used in making substituted decisions.

Advance Directives↗

Sounding a certain trumpet: case management as a catalyst for the empowerment of people with developmental disabilities.

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-146) conceptualized case management as a process by which to "increase and support the independence, productivity and integration into the community of people with disabilities." There is a call from people experiencing disabilities to meet this mandate by a process of empowerment, enabling them to assume control of and responsibility for issues impacting their daily life. This article examines current outcomes and expectancies pertaining to integration, independence and productivity and suggests an orientation within which individual empowerment and self-determination, and consequently independence, and integration, are central outcomes.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Developmental considerations of adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Adolescents with developmental disabilities have pertinent developmental and psychosocial needs that require consideration for optimal long-term planing and intervention. Unless the special needs of these adolescents are addressed, obstacles to living meaningful and satisfying lives will occur. This article examines the major issues facing adolescents with developmental disabilities. Nursing implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Polysomnographic phenotypes in developmental disabilities.

People with developmental disabilities express a number of unique behavioral patterns that have both phylogenetic and ontogenetic origins. Researchers have identified distinct behavioral phenotypes among developmental disabilities expressed as language development, cognitive profiles, adaptive behavior, and self-injury/aggression. In this article, we discuss evidence for the presence of polysomnographic phenotypes in developmental disabilities. Researchers using behavioral and/or electrophysiological measures have identified differences in sleep architecture among people with autism, Down syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. In general, the greater the level of mental retardation, the less time spent in rapid eye movement sleep. The presence of autism or Down syndrome is associated with fewer and briefer bouts of rapid eye movement sleep, and total sleep time. Autism is also associated with greater levels of undifferentiated sleep. These findings for autism and Down syndrome contrast with fragile X syndrome whose sleep architecture anomalies appear to be a function of mental retardation level.

Autistic Disorder↗

Assessing psychopathology in individuals with developmental disabilities.

Individuals with developmental disabilities are at high risk for developing mental health problems. The prevalence of psychopathology is approximately 4 times higher than that found in the general population. Yet there is a tendency to underdiagnose psychiatric disorders in the developmentally delayed population because of diagnostic overshadowing, the lack of appropriate diagnostic criteria, and the paucity of appropriate assessment measures. Over the past decade, there has been an emergence of scales developed specifically to screen for psychopathology in individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, advancements have been made in observation techniques, thus facilitating the ability to objectively observe behaviors often described as internal events. A description of a multimethod approach to assessing psychopathology in individuals with developmental disabilities is provided incorporating the recent advancements in the field, as well as suggestions for future research.

Adolescent↗

Psychopharmacological treatments in persons with dual diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and developmental disabilities.

People with developmental disabilities are at considerable risk for the development of comorbid psychiatric conditions. Psychopharmacological treatments may have a crucial role in a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to the management of psychopathology in this population. Psychiatric illnesses that are particularly amenable include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHDs) and antidepressants, mood stabilisers, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and stimulants should be considered, respectively. ADHD may also respond to alpha(2)-agonists. Psychotropic agents such as beta-antagonists can target aggressive, self injurious, and stereotypical behaviours and opioid antagonists may be helpful in treating self injurious behaviour and stereotypy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, newer anticonvulsants, and atypical neuroleptics are preferred when treating psychiatric disorders among people with developmental disabilities. This paper will review the major studies of pharmacological treatment of mental illness in individuals with developmental disabilities.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Posttraumatic stress disorder in persons with developmental disabilities.

Persons with developmental disabilities are more frequently abused physically, emotionally and sexually than nondisabled persons (Ammerman, Van-Hasselt, Herson, McGonigle, & Lubetsky, 1989; Sobsey, Gray, Pyper, & Reimer-Heck, 1991). Persons with developmental disabilities are susceptible to the full range of psychiatric disorders (Szymanski, Madow, Mallory, Menolascino, & Pace, 1991). There has been no comprehensive study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this population (Hudson & Pilek, 1990), a recent textbook of mental health and mental retardation does not contain index listings on this condition (Fletcher & Menolascino, 1989), and psychometric tests currently proposed for use with the retarded do not examine for this condition (Aman, Watson, Singh, Turbott, & Wilsher, 1986). In this preliminary study, descriptive data from 51 persons with developmental disabilities who met DSM-IIIR criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder are reported. The majority of cases were detected upon routine initial psychiatric interview and record review. Demographics, family histories, and comorbid psychiatric conditions are described. In this sample all patients who received comprehensive recommended treatment improved.

Adult↗