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| Family Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash |
Kariel Thompson is a psychologist with an MA in communication disorders from California State University. Currently practicing in Los Angeles, California, Kariel Thompson works with parents to assess, diagnose, and treat developmental disabilities in children.
Developmental disabilities are conditions that impair a child’s physical, learning, or behavioral progression. They are most noticeable when a child is developing. This is the period when a child accomplishes milestones like taking his or her first step, waving goodbye, or saying "mama." While all children grow at their own pace, there are cases where a child’s progress is particularly delayed. As a parent, if you believe your child is not learning the skills he or she should be at a particular age, a developmental disability may be the cause.
One in six children has a developmental disability. Early detection can improve children’s ability to learn while reducing the cost of intervention.
If you suspect that your child has a developmental disability, consult a doctor promptly. The doctor will assess any developmental delays your child is experiencing (developmental monitoring) while addressing your concerns. The doctor will then perform developmental screening to test if a child is accomplishing basic skills, or if he or she is experiencing delays. If there are delays, the doctor will work with you on an appropriate intervention program.
