Risk Risk DevelopmentDevelopment

Three Categories of RiskThree Categories of RiskThere are three separate

categories of risk for developmental delay:

1. Established Risk2. Biological or Medical Risk3. Environmental Risk

Established RiskEstablished RiskUnder IDEA 04 is the requirement that

states will provide services for those children with conditions who are at risk for development delay.

Some individuals with no developmental delay are still covered by IDEA 04 because it also covers them if they have a “Diagnosed physical or metal condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.” (IDEA 04)

Established RiskEstablished RiskConditions under established risk

include:o Fetal Alcohol Syndromeo Down Syndromeo Fragile Xo Turner’s Syndromeo Severe Sensory Disturbance o Chromosomal abnormalitieso Genetic or congenital disorderso Inborn errors of metabolismo Congenital infections

And more not included on this list.

Biological/Medical RiskBiological/Medical RiskUnder the optional category of ‘at risk’

certain states may serve children three and under who have a history of biological/medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of disability.

Examples of these risks are:o Low birth weighto Intraventricular hemmorrhage o Failure to thriveo Chronic lung disease

Biological/ Medical RiskBiological/ Medical RiskMany biological/medical risk

coordinate directly with environmental risks.

Low birth weight usually corresponds with poverty.

The lower the birth weight of a premature infant, the greater risk there is for developmental delay.

Environmental RiskEnvironmental RiskStates may choose to include children

who’s care giving circumstances and current family situation puts them at higher risk under the category ‘at risk’.

Examples of environmental risk:o Povertyo Homelessnesso Family violenceo Family instabilityo Parental substance abuse

Environmental Risk-Environmental Risk-PovertyPovertyChildren arrive at school without basic

needs of food, clothing, and shelter.Children may have additional

responisbilities like taking care of siblings at an early age.

Many children have no or little educational resources at home, including no access to a computer at home.

Infants and children often malnourished.

Environmental Risk-Environmental Risk-HomelessnessHomelessnessSchool aged children face barriers

attending school such as limited school supplies, lack of school records, and lack of basic needs.

Domestic violence, poverty and lack of affordable housing all contribute to homelessness.

Environmental Risk-Family Environmental Risk-Family ViolenceViolenceWitnessing violene iimpacts cognitive,

soicla, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children.

Self-esttem, lack of empathy, poor concentration, and phobias occur from witnessing family violence.

The child becomes more at risk for physical and sexual abuse if they are in a domestic violent home.

Environmental Risk- Family Environmental Risk- Family InstabilityInstabilityDivorce/ separation inerrupts routines

and stability for a child.Typical routines such as brushing

one’s teeth, eating, and sleeping may lack stability for the child as they go from parent to parent.

Many children are only temporarily effected by this.

Environmental Risk-Environmental Risk-Substance AbuseSubstance AbuseDrug an alcohol use during pregnancy

can lead to impairments in the language/communication, academic, and social behavioral aspects of the infant.

Children born to households with substance abuse are more likely to suffer physical sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect.