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Toddlers, Mental Retardation, and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Author: Andy Smithson
Judith Clabes said, “A woman who can cope with the terrible twos, can cope with anything.” Let’s not leave men out of this. Sometimes, the toddler days can be difficult for parents. Their little, helpless baby is becoming more physically capable, more curious, and more independent. These developmental elements are a formula for some new challenges, but are all part of normal development. When your child starts to oppose you and says, “No!” Take some relief in knowing that it is developmentally “normal.” Some of the very things that we struggle with our toddlers about are welcome signs of healthy development.
During the first through third year of life, most developmental problems present themselves, because the child becomes more interactive and developmental delays become more obvious. It is important, as a parent, to know what to look for, and some first steps to take if you have any concerns about your child’s developmental progress.
Defining Mental Retardation or Pervasive Developmental Disorders
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV, which is used as the standard for diagnosing mental and cognitive disorders, defines Mental retardation (MR) as significant below average IQ scores of 70 or below, and impairments in the person’s age-appropriate functional levels in at least two of the following areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety. Because MR is based on a person’s IQ scores and the inability to independently perform age-appropriate tasks, an IQ test administered by a qualified professional is important in making a diagnosis with confidence.
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD’s) are often referred to as Autism Spectrum disorders. PDD’s are defined by qualitative incompetency in one, two, or all three, of the following functional areas, depending where the child is on the spectrum…
- Social Interactions: Including nonverbal cues, development of peer relationships, and/or lack of reciprocity.
- Communication: Including speech and language problems, inability to initiate or sustain conversation, repetition in language, and lack of make believe or imitative play.
- Stereotyped patterns of behavior: Including restricted interests, inflexibility, repetitive movements, and/or preoccupation with parts or objects.
To learn more about specific PDD’s, do a simple web search for “Pervasive Developmental Disorders DSM IV Criteria.”
It is important to note that many Autism spectrum disorders become evident and are diagnosed around age two. Some of these disorders involve the child progressing normally until approximately age two, and then development in the three areas mentioned above either stops or regresses. If this happens, it is important to seek out professional help and evaluation as soon as questions or developmental regression arise.
What to Look For (Developmental stages)
During the first through third year of life, a whirlwind of new developments are presented. New social, motor, and language developments come in abundance. Some basic developments to watch for include…
1-1.5 years: Child waves and plays social games, can pick up a spoon, crawls on hands and knees, may walk holding furniture, talks in single words, and learns new words frequently.
1.5-2 years: Greets others and gives kisses and hugs, stands and walks on own, asks for food and drink or other objects, and eats on own.
2-2.5 years: plays and interacts with peers, opens doors, turns knobs, climbs on play equipment, vocabulary increases, and starts to use simple sentences.
2.5-3 years: Play games like tag and pretend games, washes hands, dresses self with help, speaks clearly most of the time, and can answer basic questions.
Getting Help / Providing Accommodations to Allow Your Children to Blossom to Their Greatest Potential
Children continue to need interaction, physical nourishment, and touch to flourish in these early years of life. Talking, hugging, singing, reading, and playing with your toddler, is important for regular healthy development. If you detect significant developmental impairments, do not hesitate to consult your doctor, and ask lots of questions! Knowledge and peace of mind are two things every parent needs to provide their toddler with the fertile environment needed to blossom.
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