What Kind of Disabilities are Possible
Minor Abnormalities
These also occur in 15% of children who did not have any problems after birth. They may appear slowly, be difficult to detect, or may not be obvious until preschool or grade school. They can include:
- poor coordination or balance
- specific learning disabilities (math or reading)
- very short attention span
- behavioral problems
- difficulty with activities that require coordination of the eyes and hands, for example, catching a ball or copying a simple drawing
- decreased hearing
- need for glasses
Major Problems
Major problems or disabilities are less common. Major problems in development include:
Motor (movement) problems, also called cerebral palsy. These include:
- tight or stiff muscles
- slow to crawl, stand, or walk
- abnormal crawling, toe walking
- moving one side more than the other
- frequent arching of the back (not just when angry or at play)
- not being able to stand or walk
Slow mental development (mental retardation). These children need special education. They do not do things when they should after birth. Early signs may include:
- does not listen to your voice by age 3-4 months after hospital discharge
- does not make different sounds by 8-9 months after discharge
- doesn't seem to understand or say any words by 12-13 months after discharge
- seizures later on, also called convulsions
- blindness
- deafness
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