Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) - the most frequently diagnosed chronic lung syndrome in preterm infants. BPD is most often defined by the number of days of supplemental oxygen required and representative x-ray findings.
Cerebral Palsy - a diagnosis that there has been some injury to the brain during development which has resulted in difficulty transmitting the necessary impulses from the brain to the muscles for coordinated movement. For a diagnosis of CP, the following are necessary: 1) motor skills must be adversely affected, 2) the motor impairment has to be due to a neurological injury, 3) the injury or lesion must be static (not getting worse, but no longer resolving), 4) the injury has to occur while the motor system is still developing (usually before, during, or right after birth), and 5) the impairment in movement does not resolve with time. For a more complete discussion of motor problems in the preterm infant, see the Comeunity website.
Development - refers to the changes in a child as he or she progresses from an immature infant to a capable, mature adult. Illness or injury to a child who is still developing can often influence how the child continues to develop, even after he or she has recovered from the actual illness or injury. Because changes in development are gradual and occur over time, it is not always possible to determine whether the developmental process will be adversely affected by early illness or injury until months or even years have elapsed.
Developmental Delay - is a term used to indicate that development is proceeding slower than expected for a normally developing child. It does not imply anything about whether or not the child can be expected to eventually "catch-up" or attain a normal rate of development. Developmental delay can occur temporarily, perhaps due to illness or environmental factors (e.g., long-term supplemental oxygen, hospitalization, etc.) or it can be an indication of a long-term developmental disability which will never fully resolve (e.g., cerebral palsy, mental retardation, etc.). Most prematurely born infants, and many full-term infants who have neonatal problems, will experience temporary delays in development during infancy related to long hospitalizations and/or restricted physical activity, etc. Some of these infants will also have sustained some damage to their developing nervous system that will not become apparent until sometime later in their development. Whether the delay is a temporary condition or one that will continue into adulthood, "developmental delay" will typically be used until the child meets the criteria for a more appropriate diagnosis (e.g., cerebral palsy, mental retardation) or until he or she catches up with others of the same age.
Disability - refers to any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal. ( Note - "Disability" is defined by specific criteria for purposes of eligibility in various different program. It is possible to meet the criteria for "disability" under one program and not under another.)
Handicap - a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role that is normal (depending on age, sex, and social and cultural factors) for that individual.
High-Risk - is used to refer to a group with an increased statistical probability of developing a condition. Certain medical complications increase the likelihood of a child having developmental difficulties. That is, a child with one or more of these medical complications is more likely to have some developmental difficulty than children without medical complications. When a child’s chances of developing any problem are increased, they are said to be at higher "risk" for this problem. Children are identified as being at "high-risk" for developmental difficulties if they experience problems before, during, or after birth that are known to be associated with developmental problems.
Hyperextension and stiffness of the lower extremities - refers to a straightening with tightness or resistance to movement of the ankles, knees and/or hips. (When you try to move your child’s legs it feels as though she is always fighting against you. In other words, it is hard to bend or flex your child’s ankles, knees or hips.) The child may frequently hold the legs extended (straight), or may go up on the toes when held in a standing position. Some children who were born prematurely have tightness of the lower extremities early in the first year of life that gradually disappears. For some children, physical therapy may be recommended. These early motor difficulties resolve by eighteen months corrected age for most children. For a small number of children the tightness does not go away and is a sign of a more serious motor problem.
IEP (Individualized Education Program) - is a written document used by the public school system to guide a child’s educational program. It is developed by the parents and the school system. The IEP differs from the IFSP in that its focus is the educational needs of the child. The goals and objectives stated in the IEP should focus on offsetting or reducing the problems resulting from the child’s disability that interfere with learning and educational performance. A child will not be placed in a public school special education program until the IEP is in place.
IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) - refers both to a process and a written document. The process starts at the time of a referral to Early Intervention (Babies Can’t Wait in Georgia) and includes many of the activities that must take place in order to write the document. At the meeting during which the IFSP is written, the parents, other involved individuals ( therapists, psychologists, social workers, etc.) and the Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) Service Coordinator will work together to identify a child’s strengths and weaknesses and make plans to bring into use appropriate activities and interventions that will help a child progress toward desired outcomes. The IFSP is to be in place 45 days after the BCW referral. The IFSP is reviewed and updated at least every 6 months, but it can be changed whenever the family or the team feels it is necessary. Services through BCW cannot be provided until an IFSP is in place. In order for a service to be covered under the BCW program, it must be included in the IFSP.
Impairment - is a term used when there is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function. (Note: an impairment does not necessarily result in a "disability" or "handicap".)
Inclusion - this is a term used to describe programs where children with disabilities are "included" in regular programs alongside their typical same aged peers.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) - the most common form of brain bleed in preterm infants. "Intraventricular" refers to the area of the brain lining the ventricular system. (view an article on IVH)
Learning Disability - refers to a significant difficulty in learning which is presumed to have its origin in central nervous system dysfunction. The learning difficulty may be in a very specific area, including acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, memory or mathematical abilities, or it may involve difficulty in some combination of these areas. Social skills and/or self-regulatory behaviors (e.g., attention) may also be impaired. Learn more information on learning disabilities.
Mental Retardation - (aka "intellectual disability" or intellectual developmental disorder") Mental retardation refers to an impairment in general intellectual functioning, together with global deficits in other life skills, which must develop before age 18. There is a very wide range of functioning for people with different levels of mental retardation. Prematurity is NOT a major cause of mental retardation, but children born extremely premature are much more likely to develop mental retardation than children born healthy at term. Several conditions associated with prematurity increase a child’s risk for mental retardation. These include neurological injury (e.g., intraventricular or periventricular hemorrhage, hypoxic injury around the time of birth) and various early infections. Children with early developmental delay are considered "at risk" for mental retardation, but the diagnosis of mental retardation is not appropriate unless and until it becomes apparent that the child will not fully recover from the delay in development.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis(NEC) - is a disorder characterized by necrosis (death) of areas of the intestine. Neither the exact predisposing causes nor the mechanisms involved in its development are known. There are many factors thought to play a role in the development of NEC. Two examples of these factors are: a decrease in blood flow to the intestinal tract and infection. The very small and asphyxiated preterm is at greatest risk of developing NEC. However, it has been diagnosed in full-term and small for gestational age babies. Depending on severity, treatment includes a spectrum from resting the intestine and administering antibiotics, to surgical intervention.
Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) - cell death of the white matter behind and to the side of the lateral ventricles resulting from insufficient oxygen to that part of the brain.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) - a condition in which the blood vessels in the retina develop abnormally. ROP is most common in babies born more than 12 weeks early. The growth of blood vessels in the retina is normally completed just a few weeks before full-term delivery, and when babies are born before this process is complete, the blood vessels may grow and branch abnormally, sometimes causing the inner lining of the retina to be pulled away from the outer lining.
Shoulder Retraction - describes the placement of a child's shoulders drawn back with the elbows bent, and hands held up by the shoulders. This is a commonly preferred position seen in children with respiratory problems. This position helps the child to expand the chest in an attempt to take in more air. This can interfere with the use of her hands for exploration. It may also slow down exploration of toys and developing an interest in reaching. In addition, shoulder retractions can cause a child to arch back slightly when placed in an upright position, which can interfere with balance for sitting and standing.
Transition - refers to movement or change from one condition, place, or activity to another. "Transition" is often used to describe the process involved as a child moves from the Babies Can't Wait system at age 3 years to the next appropriate education program (public schools, pre-K programs, private child development or kindergarten programs, etc).
Weak Tone or Low Tone - is a term used to describe an infant or young child who offers very little resistance against you when you move the ankles, knees and/or hips, the baby feels too "loose." Generally the child displays no abnormal movement patterns, yet cannot yet sit independently or push up on her hands and knees in a crawling position for more than a few seconds without collapsing down onto her belly.
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