Developmental History Research of a Child on a Specific Example

Introduction

Filling and analyzing the developmental history of a child, the main critical purpose of such analysis is the identification of any disorders and deviations of the development, at the earliest stage possible. Such identification can be seen as a function of primary and pediatric care. The significance of analyzing the developmental history can be seen through the fact that the identification of developmental disorders might be used to indicate the medical conditions or the complications causing the disorder, as well as to indicate the risks of behavior disorders. In that regard, the early diagnosis will allow the possibility of early interventions. Serving the purpose of establishing the developmental history, many questionnaires were developed, in order to assess the childs early development in different areas.

Purpose of the paper

This paper provides an investigation of the developmental history, based on the case history of Billy, a four-year-old boy, whose development was traced through the answers to a developmental history questionnaire. The investigation will be addressed towards indicating possible areas of deficit, and the potential diseases associated with disorders and diseases. The questionnaire and the answers can be reviewed in Appendix A.

Developmental History

Billy Smith is a four-year-old boy who was brought by his parents to address the concerns over his development and problems with anger and aggression. An important factor in the development history was the fact that Billy was a premature baby, born on 36^th week of pregnancy. The fact of preterm pregnancy initially put the baby to a number of challenges such as underdevelopment of organs, risking for learning and developmental disabilities, including mental retardation (National Institutes of Health, 2009). Accordingly, the further analysis of the development stage characteristics showed concern in several other areas.

Disorders of motor functions

Spitting the food, specifically solid or semi-solid, might be an indication of Billy choking the food out, where the possible causes of such symptoms can be related to the disco-ordination of the muscles of swallowing-chewing. The inclination toward the disco-ordination of muscles can be seen through an indication in the developmental history of difficulties in riding a bike, and the clumsiness when catching and throwing a ball. In that regard, the disco-ordination of movements implies mal-directed, mal-timed movement complicated by accessory, superadded movement (Gesell, 2007). The latter can be related to disorders of motor functions, where the specific indications in the developmental history, matching the disorder, include poor performance in ball games, and activities requiring coordination such as riding a bicycle. Although such disorder has several known variations such as developmental coordination disorder, the clumsy child syndrome, and developmental dyspraxia, all of them share a common feature, which is the impairment of the development of motor coordination (Barker, 2004). The risk of ignoring such identification can be seen in the perception of the children to be intellectually dull, due to their inability to express their knowledge in written form. Other tests are required for confirmation of the disorder, which in addition to the development history include writing and drawing comparison tests, and psychological testing of the childs verbal and non-verbal skills (Barker, 2004, p. 107).

Late Weaning

An important risk factor that can be extracted from Billys developmental history is the apparent indication of late weaning. The questionnaire reveals that Billys mother started weaning at the age of two. The consequences of late weaning are mostly related to the development of iron deficiency anemia, where a study of anemia among 4- to 17-month children revealed the importance of targeting anemia in the first year of life (Siegel, et al., 2006). Additionally, a study conducted in Ali and Zuberi (2003), examined the association of late weaning in 1-2 years old children with iron deficiency anemia, and found out that late weaning was the most important predictor of iron deficiency anemia in 12 years of age (N.S. & R.W., 2003). Assessing the consequences of anemia on the long term can be seen through the complications and the side effects, which might go unnoticed if the treatment was ignored. Several studies reported the association between anemia, poor mental performance, and abnormalities of behavior, all of which are complications that can be treated in earlier detection, while a severe iron deficiency can cause an irreversible neurological impairment (Chantry, Howard, & Auinger, 2007). Additionally, another factor that should be considered is the total disregard of breastfeeding, the benefits of which can be evident in the recommendations made in 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to feed infants exclusively on breast milk until six months of age (Britton, McCormick, Renfrew, Wade, & King, 2007). The outcomes of breastfeeding can be seen in the reduction of a number of risk factors, where a systematic review of the literature on the effects of breastfeeding on short- and long-term infant health outcomes, found an association between breastfeeding and reducing the risk of acute otitis media, non-specific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma (young children), obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and necrotizing enterocolitis (Ip, et al., 2007).

Amentia

Another set of symptoms indicated in the developmental history can be indicative of abnormal neuro-motor signs. The symptoms are the excessiveness of crying and temper tantrums, whenever Billy is frustrated or there is much noise around him. The tantrums were mostly occurring through anger biting. Taking in consideration that such factors can be considered normal only during the period from 15 to 18 months, it can be seen that these symptoms have particular causes (Gesell, 2007). The possible causes include auditory defects, emotional factors, and retardation. Assuming that at the age of four auditory defects would have been detected by the parents, the combination of other factors included in the developmental history such as sleeping and feeding problems might be used to indicate retardation in development. Additionally, taking into consideration such elements in the developmental history as the delays in sitting and turning over, it can be stated that Billy might have the possibility of some forms of Amentia (Gesell, 2007). In that regard, the temper tantrums expressed by Billy should be analyzed in order to examine the reasons for the development of such behavior. Accordingly, Billy should be directed to a behavior analyst for further examination. The possibility of a medical condition causing pain should not be eliminated and thus, the conditions with no apparent physical manifestations should be considered.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the evaluation of Billys developmental history indicates several areas of concern. The initial examination request was based on manifestations of anger and aggression. In addition to such factor, other areas of concern were indicated. These areas are related to developmental concerns which might have resulted from preterm birth. Additional factors, such as 2^nd hand smoking, to which exposure can be just as detrimental to a developing fetus as primary exposure (Baum, 2005), and late weaning, which was discussed in the paper, might have contributed to such developments. In that regard, a further individual examination might be required in order to assess the full picture of Billys functioning. At the present time, it would be recommended to examine Billy for iron deficit anemia as well as a physiological examination of Billys motor functions.

References

Barker, P. (2004). Basic child psychiatry (7th ed.). Oxford; Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Pub.

Baum, M. D. (2005). Second-hand smoke during pregnancy is risky. Medical News Today. 2009. Web.

Britton, C., McCormick, F., Renfrew, M., Wade, A., & King, S. (2007). Support for breastfeeding mothers. 2009. Web.

Chantry, C. J., Howard, C. R., & Auinger, P. (2007). Full Breastfeeding Duration and Risk for Iron Deficiency in U.S. Infants. Breastfeeding Medicine, 2(2).

Gesell, A. (2007). Developmental Diagnosis Normal and Abnormal Child Development Clinical Methods and Pediatric Applications (2nd ed.): READ BOOKS.

Ip, S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., DeVine, D., et al. (2007). Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries. Web.

National Institutes of Health (2009). Preterm Labor and Birth. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Web.

N.S., A., & R.W., Z. (2003). Late weaning: the most significant risk factor in the development of iron deficiency anemia at 1-2 years of age. Journal of Ayub Medical College, 15(2).

Siegel, E. H., Stoltzfus, R. J., Khatry, S. K., LeClerq, S., Katz, J., & Tielsch, J. M. (2006). EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANEMIA AMONG 4- TO 17-MONTH CHILDREN LIVING IN SOUTH-CENTRAL NEPAL. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition(60), 228235.

Appendix A

Case History Form

Demographic Information:

Childs Name: Billy Smith
Date of Interview___8/30/09____ Date of Birth__8/15/05___________ Age of child___4______________

Referral Information

Why are you seeking help for this child?

I am concerned that Billy is not developing normally. I want to know if he has a psychological problem, and I need help in managing his behaviorespecially his tantrums & aggressive behavior. ____________________________________________________________________________

Who referred you to our services? I am self-referred.

What kind of services are you seeking? (psychological or psychiatric testing, medical or physical exam, therapy) Whatever will help.

Primary Caregiver/Parent Information

Father Name: Jose __________________________________________________________________
Address (if different from mother) __________________________________________________
Phone________________________________________________________________________
Employment___________________________________________________________________
Length of Employment __6 years_________________________________________________________
Occupation: Construction Worker_________________________ Highest Grade Level: high school
Stepfather_____________________________________________________________________
Primary Language: Spanish________________________ Secondary Language: English________________
Mother Name: Carla________________________________________________________________
Address (if different from father) __same_________________________________________________
Phone________________________________________________________________________
Employment___________________________________________________________________
Length of Employment ___________________________________________________________
Occupation: homemaker_________________________________ Highest Grade Level: high school
Primary Language: English _________________________ Secondary Language___________________

Primary Caregiver

With what adults does this child live?_Both parents_____________________________________________
How long in the current living situation? since birth. We have tried 3 daycares, but Billy keeps getting kicked out because of anger and aggression.

Family History

Please list all brothers and sisters, and any other children living with the family:

Juneage 6sister
Robertage 3brother

Pregnancy_________________________________________________________________

Full Term Pregnancy? No=born at 36 weeks
Pregnancy under doctors care: Yes
Number of previous miscarriages:_0___________________
Check any of the following complications that occurred during the pregnancy
XDifficulty in conception XToxemia Abnormal weight gain
Measles XExcessive vomiting German measles
Excessive swelling XEmotional problems Vaginal bleeding
XMaybe-Flu
XAnemia
XHigh blood pressure
XRh-incompatibility
Hospitalization during pregnancy:_for one week before birth__________________________________________________
Reason:__premature labor, toxemia____________________________________________________________________
X-rays during pregnancy:__No_______________________________________________________
Medications used during pregnancy:_Prozac_______________________________________________
Alcohol used during pregnancy:_Yes-1 glass of wine per night __________________________________________________
Cigarettes during pregnancy:No, but father smoked2^nd hand smoke______________________________________________________
Other drugs used during pregnancy:
Type__marijuana occasionally before I knew I was pregnant______________
Birth____________________________________________________________________________________
At this childs birth, what was the mothers age?__18__________ Fathers Age?_19_______________
Mothers age at birth of FIRST child?__16___________________
Was this child born in the hospital? Yes
Length of pregnancy ___36 weeks__________Birth Weight ___4 lbs. 10 oz.______________________
Length of Labor___C-section__________Apgar Score_Dont know________________________
Childs condition at birth__Weak________________________________________________________
Mothers condition at birth___OK______________________________________________________
Check any of the following complications that occurred during birth:
Forceps used Breech Birth Labor Induced XYes-Caesarean Delivery
Other Delivery Complications: _____________________________________________________
Incubator: Yes How long? __2 weeks_______________________________________________
Jaundiced: Yes Bilirubin Lights? Yes If Yes, How Long? __1 week________________
Breathing Problems right after birth: _Yes_______________________________________________
Supplemental Oxygen Yes If yes, how long? 1 week__________________________________
Was anesthesia used during delivery? Yes If yes, what kind? _Dont know____________________

Development

At what age did this child first do the following? Please indicate year/month of age.
Turn Over___4 months__________Walk down Stairs_24 months_____________________________
Sit Alone____9 months_________ Show interest in or attraction to sound___2 weeks___________
Crawl____11 months___________ Understand first words_Not sure-does not always appear to be listening_________________
Sand Alone___14 months_______ Speak first words 18 months____________________________
Walk Alone_16 months_________ Speak in sentences__3 years__________________________
Walk up Stairs_2 years___________________
Was this child breast-fed? No
Was this child bottle-fed? Yes When weaned? _2 years________________________________
When was this child toilet trained? Days_2 years_______ Nights 3 years____________
Did bed wetting occur after toilet training Yes If yes, until what age? ___3 years_____________
Did bed-soling occur after toilet training? No If yes, until what age? ________________
Has this child experienced any of the following problems? If yes, please describe.
Walking difficulty: Yes was slow to startis awkward____________________________________________________
Unclear Speech: No _____________________________________________________
Sleep Problem: Yes Takes an hour to get to sleep & wakes up every 2-3 hours_________________________________
Feeding Problem: Yes Did not like solid foods. Spits food out if doesnt like it. Eats very few foods._____________________________
Underweight Problem: Yes Slightly
Eating Problem: Yes Wont try new foods. Doesnt like some textures/________________________________________
Overweight Problem No _________________________________________________
Colic: Yes For 1^st six monthshad reflux & projectile vomitting_______________________________________________
Difficulty learning to Ride a Bike: Yes No __hasnt tried______________________________________
Difficulty Learning to Skip: Yes No _Does not do____________________________________________
Difficulty Learning to Throw and Catch: Yes Is clumsy & not very coordinated___________________________________
During this childs first four (4) years, were any special problems noted in the following areas? If yes, please describe.
Eating: Yes I already said this_____________________________________________________________
Motor skills: Yes I already said this. _________________________________________________________
Sleeping too much: No Not enough___________________________________________________
Temper tantrums: Yes Anytime there is much noise or when frustrated. Bites when angry.
Excessive crying: Yes Cries easily if frustrated.____________________________________________________
Sleeping too little: Yes I already said this.___________________________________________________
Failure to thrive: No _____________________________________________________
Separating from parents: Yes Is clingy ______________________________________________
Which hand does this child used for writing or drawing?___R_______ Eating?_R____
Has this child been forced to change writing hand?

Medical History

Childhood Illnesses/Injuries

Please check the illnesses this child has had and indicate age, year and month
Measles: No__________ Rheumatic fever: No__________
German measles: No__________ Diphtheria: No__________
Mumps: No ______ Meningitis: No__________
Chicken pox: Yes 3 years__________ Encephalitis: No__________
Tuberculosis: No__________ Anemia: Yes wont eat healthy food __________
Whooping Cough: No__________ Fever above 104⁰: Yes Age 2
Scarlet Fever: No__________ Broken bone: No__________
Head injury: No__________ Sustained high fever: Yes Age 2_________
Coma or any loss of consciousness: No__________

Illness/Operations

Has this child ever been on any medication for six months or more? No
Describe:___Takes asthma medicine when needed_____________________________________________________

Please indicate whether this child currently has any of the following problems.

Respiratory

Cardiovascular
Gastrointestinal
X-Frequent colds
Shortness of breath
Excessive vomiting only as infant
Chronic cough
Dizziness with physical exertion Frequent diarrhea
X_Asthma
Activity limited due to heart X-Constipation
Hay fever
Heart murmur

Genitourinary Musculosketetal

Neurological
Urination in pants/bed Muscle pain
X-Clumsy walk
Speech defects
Excessive urination Poor posture
Bites nails
Strong odor to urine Other muscle problems XSucksthumb
Pain while urinatingTics/twitches
X-Bangs head

Hearingproblems

X-Earinfections
Date of most recent hearing exam: Last monthhearing was normal even though he sometimes acts like he doesnt hear us_______

Medical Care

Childs Physician_Dr. Jones_______________________________________________
How often does child see doctor? __When sick ________________________________________________
Is this child currently on medication? No______________________________________
Has this child ever been physically or sexually abused or neglected? ____No__________________
Has this child ever had psychological counseling or therapy? __No__________________________

Need help with assignments?

Our qualified writers can create original, plagiarism-free papers in any format you choose (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc.)

Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.

Click Here To Order Now