Shatodda Simpson
Coms 1 8-8:50 am
9/26/2011
Disabilities that affect Children
I. Introduction:
A. In the United States there are more than 5.5 million children (that’s 8%) with disabilities, and the number is rapidly growing. At least once in our lives we will come across a child that has a disability.
B. I want to talk about children and the disabilities that affect them. Disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities.
C. It is important for us as parents, teachers, care-givers, or even brothers and sisters of children, to be aware of these disabilities and educate ourselves so that we may be better equip to help these children learn the skills necessary to live a normal and productive life.
D. I am going to talk to you in about three different disabilities that affect children.
1. ADD/ADHD
2. Downs Syndrome
3. Autism
II. Body:
1. First off I will talk about ADD/ADHD which is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADD/ADHD is defined as an developmental disorder that sometimes affect the child’s behavior and learning. It also affects 3 to 5 % of children globally and is diagnosed in about 2 to 16% of school aged children. Inattention (distraction, easily bored, struggles to follow directions), Hyperactivity (fidgets, talking non-stop, constant moving, or trouble being still), Impulsivity (impatient, blurts out inappropriate comments, has difficulty waiting) are all symptoms of this disability. Causes are unknown but there are treatment methods available such as, psychological therapy and/medications.
2. Next there is Downs Syndrome, a disability distinctive in characteristics. It is a condition caused by all or part of extra chromosomes given during pregnancy. 1 out of 733 births will result in a Down’s syndrome born child. It appears to be more common in older...