Human Growth and Development

Chronic Illnesses and Physical Disabilities Chronic illnesses are long-term health conditions lasting at least a year and may need ongoing medical attention or limiting daily activities.

These illnesses can affect various developmental areas in children:

●​ Physical development: Growth, motor skills, and energy levels can be affected by chronic illness. For example, a child with cystic fibrosis may experience difficulty gaining weight due to digestive problems . ●​ Social-emotional development: Chronic illnesses can lead to feeling lonely or different and affects their ability to join in activities or changes in their appearance. ●​ Cognitive development: Depending on the severity and nature of the illness, some chronic conditions may make it harder to focus, learn or remember things. Physical disabilities include limitations in mobility, stamina, or senses. These challenges may impact a child’s life in different ways: ●​ Social development: Children with physical disabilities may need changes or tools to play and interact with others. ●​ Cognitive development: Physical disabilities may need adjustments in school, like different teaching methods, to make learning easier. ●​ Self-esteem: Struggles with daily tasks or needing help from others can affect a child’s sense of independence. Neurocognitive Disorders Neurocognitive disorders happen when a person’s mental functioning declines due to a medical condition , not a mental illness. These disorders can affect people of any age, not just older adults. While the risk of dementia increases with age, only about 10% of older adults develop it. ●​ Dementia which causes a steady decline in cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking, and reasoning. It's not normal aging and can have various causes. ●​ Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, caused by protein buildup in the brain that disrupts its function. ●​ Subcortical dementia affects movement first, then cognitive abilities. Examples include Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. ●​ Other causes: Infections (HIV/AIDS), chronic alcoholism (Korsakoff's syndrome), and Pick's disease (frontal and temporal lobe atrophy). Examples include:

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