Children may suffer from a variety of common disorders. The good news is that many of these conditions are treatable. The bad news is that treatment can be expensive, and some medical providers do not offer adequate care to children with special needs.
Parents who suspect their child has a condition should be aware of the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental health issues and the appropriate steps to take if they suspect something is wrong. Here are some of the common disorders you need to be aware of.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that affects a person’s ability to focus. It can cause problems at school and home, as well as with relationships.
Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling their impulses and activities, or being organized. Symptoms include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The severity of symptoms varies from child to child but generally does not get better without treatment.
Sometimes doctors don’t know what causes ADHD. But several factors, including genetics, head injuries during childhood, brain chemistry changes during pregnancy, and even acetaminophen consumption, can cause ADHD.
While acetaminophen is a part of many over-the-counter medications, its exposure during pregnancy is proven to cause increased chances of ADHD and ASD in children. Hence, there are also lawsuits available in such conditions. If you or a loved one had consumed acetaminophen, which led to ADHD, you could file an Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Lawsuit. Filing the lawsuit will give you a fair chance of getting compensation based on the damage you have faced.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal social and communication skills development. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is also referred to as autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. About 1 in 68 children in the U.S. has been identified with ASD.
The exact cause of ASD is unknown, but researchers believe many factors contribute to its development, including genetic and environmental influences. The risk for developing ASD appears to be related to genetics and other factors like your lifestyle, diet, and environment. Like ADHD, consumption of acetaminophen during pregnancy is also a cause of ASD. Hence, you can also file an Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Lawsuit for this condition.
Cerebral Palsy
The cause of cerebral palsy is unknown, but it’s thought to have a genetic component. It can also be caused by brain injury or illness during pregnancy or birth. Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that refers to a group of symptoms affecting motor skills (muscle tone) and movement.
Cerebral palsy is classified into three types: spastic, ataxic, and mixed. A child with spastic CP will likely have stiff limbs and tight muscles; their movements may appear jerky or awkward. A child with ataxic CP will have poor balance with their movements, often appearing clumsy and uncoordinated; they may also suffer from tremors in their hands or arms due to muscle stiffness which makes control difficult for them when performing tasks such as writing on paper or typing on a keyboard computer device (or tablet).
The third type of cerebral palsy is called mixed because it combines features from both types 1 and 2 above in varying degrees between individuals affected by this condition – meaning there isn’t one type per person diagnosed, but instead, multiple subtypes exist depending on where their symptoms fall under across two categories: “cognitive” (intelligence quotient) & “motor” (movement); together these factors determine whether someone has mild symptoms versus severe ones like those seen in infantile paralysis cases involving younger children who are unable to walk independently yet still retain cognitive function beyond age levels expected based solely upon chronological age alone.”
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops after a significant traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD can include nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety or depression. It’s essential to seek help if you think your child has PTSD because it can lead to other issues later in life.
The causes of PTSD are varied; however, they often include exposure to violence (such as war), natural disasters, or accidents. Children who experience abuse at home may also develop this condition to cope with their situation. Some medications can worsen symptoms even if taken for something else, such as depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a mental health disorder that starts in childhood. Children with conduct disorder behave cruelly to people and animals and break the rules. They may also be aggressive and destructive.
They might steal from family members or classmates, run away from home without telling anyone where they are going, destroy property (e.g., setting fires), bully other children at school or online, break into homes/buildings without permission, and force others into doing things against their will (e.g., forced sex).
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements, uncontrollable sounds, and other tics. It’s a genetic disorder, not contagious (though it can run in families), and not a mental illness. In fact, people with Tourette syndrome are usually happy and healthy individuals who have average to above-average intelligence.
Possible Lawsuits
It is not unusual for parents to have valid lawsuits against their children’s schools or public agencies if their child has autism, ADHD, CP, or food allergies. These parents may be able to seek compensation for the cost of medical care, loss of income, pain, and suffering.
Besides lawsuits against schools or public agencies, parents also have the right to file lawsuits against drug manufacturing companies if it is proven that their consumption has led to the disorder. For instance, since acetaminophen consumption during pregnancy increases the chances of ADHD and ASD in children, parents can file an Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Lawsuit for compensation.
Conclusion
Childhood disorders are not as uncommon as many people think. Many children worldwide suffer from one or more of these disorders, and there are many reasons for that. Pediatricians can diagnose these conditions quickly based on the available symptoms and do their best to treat them with medication or therapy, depending on your child’s disorder.