Common types of developmental disabilities:
1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication. Symptoms can vary widely in severity.
2. Intellectual Disability (ID): A condition characterized by below-average intellectual functioning and a lack of skills necessary for daily living. It can vary in severity.
3. Cerebral Palsy (CP): A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture, caused by damage to the developing brain, often occurring during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
4. Down Syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, leading to developmental delays and distinct physical characteristics.
5. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): While sometimes classified separately, ADHD can be considered a developmental disability due to its impact on functioning, characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This dx alone does not indicate eligibility for REACH services (See Standards).
6. Learning Disabilities: These include a variety of disorders that affect the ability to learn in a typical manner, including dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and dysgraphia (writing).
7. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, leading to physical, behavioral, and learning problems.
8. Fragile X Syndrome: A genetic condition causing intellectual disability, behavioral challenges, and various physical features, often associated with autism.
9. Spina Bifida: A birth defect where the spine does not close completely around the spinal cord, which can lead to physical and intellectual disabilities.
10. Williams Syndrome: A genetic condition characterized by the deletion of genetic material from chromosome 7, leading to developmental delays, cardiovascular issues, and distinctive personality traits.
DOJ Requirements of REACH
DBHDS requires CSB/BHA Emergency pre-screener contact REACH as soon as the ES suspects someone in a crisis might have an ID/DD diagnosis.
REACH clinicians are not pre-screeners and cannot make decisions regarding TDO criteria.
REACH clinicians can offer appropriate community based options to potentially divert hospitalization.
When hospitalization is unavoidable, REACH can provide individuals and their families support during the TDO process.