ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the more common developmental difficulties seen in children. It discusses degenerative and acquired conditions in adults. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a general term for a number of neurological conditions that affect movement and coordination. It is usually caused by injury to the brain before, during or after birth. Some people with mild CP develop good functional speech. Others need Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as their main means of expressive language. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition resulting from trisomy of chromosome 21, resulting in learning disability. Children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) benefit from visual support, which provides structure in a confusing sensory and social world. Muscular Dystrophy is a group of muscle-wasting conditions, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Motor Neurone Disease (MND) describes a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases which attack the motor neurones and lead to weakness and wasting of muscles.
