Terms
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Failure to Thrive (FTT)
Low Birth Weight (LBW)
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (RDS)
Cyanosis Bluish color
skin and lips
Bronchopulmonary
dysplasia (BPD)
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Gastroesophageal reflux
(GER)
neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU)
Pediatric intensive care
unit (PICU)
Some Developmental Disabilities
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Cerebral palsy
Mental retardation
Communication
disorders
autism
deafness
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Chronic childhood
neurological disorders
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Seizures
Degenerative CNS
Myopathies (MS)
Causes of Developmental
Disabilities
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Congenital
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Genetic
Infections
Toxic/metabolic
other
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Acquired
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Head trauma
Perinatal
Infections
Toxic/metabolic
Other diseases
High Risk Babies
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Born prematurely
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3 or more weeks before the
end of 38 weeks of
pregnancy-or who weigh less
that 5 ½ lbs (2,500 grams)
Less than 3 ½ lbs or (1,500
grams(VLBW)
Broad array of problems at
birth
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BPD, RDS, cynanosis
Gastrointestinal problems
hernias
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VLBW –severe anemia
IDEA-Individuals with Disabilities
Act
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Public Law 99-457
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0-3
developmentally delayed
biologically at risk
natural environments
Illnesses and Medical Conditions
with hospitalization
Birth Injuries
Jaundice
Umbilical Hernia
Eye Infections
Ear Infections
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)
Sepsis
Fractures
Illnesses and Medical Conditions
with hospitalization
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Down Syndrome
Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
Heart Defects
Speech and Language Difficulties
Seizures
Near Drowning
Burns
Poisoning
Choking
Components in Service Delivery
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Medical Setting
The Family/Home Setting
The School/Educational Setting
Technology Assistance
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Intravenous Lines (IV)
Suctioning
Tube feeding
Monitors
Oxygen
Ventilators
Issues for the Hospitalized Child
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Infants
Toddlers
Preschoolers
Issues for Infants with Medical
Needs
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Disruption in normal routines (fussiness and
irritability
Immediate response to pain needs and seeks
comfort (comfort strategies demonstrated)
Stranger anxiety begins (around 6 months)
Toddler with Medical Needs
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Separation Anxiety
Fear of Strangers
Immediate response to pain and unfamiliarity
Regression in skills (motor, language, Potty
training)
Preschoolers with Medical Needs
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Separation anxiety
Anxiety about intrusions and mutilation
Anxiety aroused by egocentric thought,
fantasies, magical thinking
Fear of punishment aroused by guilt ( child
may feel that he or she is the cause of illness
The Family
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Parents
Grandparents
Siblings
Stress
Stress Model
Stress in Parents
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Anxiety about caregiver
role
Equipment and other
children’s cries
Behavioral changes
Appearance and health
of child in NICU/PICU
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Spouse/family members’
health
Spending more time with
spouse
Financial strain in
providing basic needs
Stressors in Mothers
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Child’s diagnosis period
Repeated hospitalization
Daily management and
child rearing
Medical difficulties and
withdrawal episodes
Stressors in Fathers
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Understanding the
child’s diagnosis
Child’s pain
Stressors in Siblings
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Feeling lonely
Observing stress in
parents
Increased
responsibilities
Change in residence
Feeling ill
Stressors in Grandparents
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Inability to advise
parents with caregiving
Lack of information
about disability or
disease
Cultural Factors and Caregivers
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Differences in
Communication Methods
Differences in Meaning
of Disability
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Differences in
Perceptions of Medical
and Educational Staff
Traditional Healing
Practices
Traditional Healing Practices
Traditional Healing Practices
Good? Or Bad?
Cultural Health Practices
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Closely linked to beliefs and family values
Folk medicine
Spirits
Unity of nature
Preventive
Recommendations for Early
Childhood Educators
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Recognize the need for communication and
collaboration of services and professionals that work
with the young child
Seek out best communication method for family
members and utilize it
Assist in developing parent workshops on stress
management, resources and services
Assist child in maintaining normal developmental
patterns
Be sensitive to cultural and ethical differences in
illness, disability and the family