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Facts
About Developmental Disabilities
Cerebral Palsy
is one of a variety of conditions known as developmental
disabilities. Other conditions include
mental retardation, autism, epilepsy,
and neurological impairments.
These disabilities are neither mental illnesses
nor curable diseases. Instead, they each are
lifetime impairments which become apparent during
childhood and continue throughout the individual's
life. In addition, some people with one disability,
such as mental retardation, can also have another
disability, such as epilepsy.
Mental
Retardation
People with mental retardation show delays in
learning, a slower pace of learning, and difficulty
in applying learning. Approximately 200,000
people in New York State have mental retardation.
There is no single cause. More often than not,
mental retardation results from a number of
factors that may include premature birth, genetic
abnormalities, malnutrition, exposure to toxic
agents, or early caregiving deprivation.
The level of mental retardation varies greatly
from person to person. While one individual
may be integrated easily into the mainstream
of society, another individual who is more disabled
may succeed only with a greater level of supervision.
Assistance available for persons with mental
retardation often consists of providing community
residential services, special job and education
training programs, family support, and intervention
services in early childhood. In general, most
people with mental retardation learn to care
for their own basic needs and to function effectively
in society.
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Autism
Autism is characterized by several disorders
grouped together which interfere with learning
and intellectual development. People with autism
may have serious difficulty relating and responding
to people, events or objects. Individuals mildly
affected by autism may appear naive or eccentric,
while others who are more severely affected
may withdraw into themselves, displaying unusual,
repetitive or aggressive behavior.
Autism's cause is still unknown; however, it
is likely caused by a physical disorder of the
brain. It is often possible to diagnose autism
by the time an individual is two years old.
Failure to develop language abilities or to
show any desire to be around other people typically
leads to the clinical examination which diagnoses
autism. More than 5,000 individuals in New York
State are estimated to have this disability.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy involves numerous disorders of the
nervous system which result in abnormal electrical
charges of brain cells. This, in turn, produces
sudden seizures, muscle convulsions, and/or
partial or total loss of consciousness.
Due to medical advances, it is now possible
for many forms of epilepsy to be controlled
by medication. In cases where medicine is not
effective, further specialized medical services,
supported employment, or alternative living
services are offered. Nearly 50,000 people in
New York State have epilepsy.
Other
Neurological Impairments
This group of disabilities includes disorders
of the brain and central nervous system that
substantially impair the use and development
of language, understanding, memory, attention
span, fine muscle control and adaptive behavior.
Individuals with a neurological impairment
may experience a variety of learning or social/behavior
problems. They may also have special care needs
because of problems in muscular control. Some
forms of neurological impairment are difficult
to diagnose and treat.
Approximately 36,000 New York State citizens
have some type of serious neurological impairment.
Many people are able to compensate and do very
well later in adult life. However, others may
need selected specialized services similar to
those provided to other individuals with disabilities.
(Researched from information provided by the
New York State Office of Mental Retardation
& Developmental Disabilities http://www.omr.state.ny.us.)
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