When caring for the developmentally disabled child, assessment is the key. Ask the parents about the child’s diagnosis and issues the child has.

• Does the child require a special diet?
• Does the child have sensory-related disabilities that may go along with their diagnosis?
• Does the child have medical issues pertaining to their diagnosis?
  Is the child non-verbal, non-ambulatory, dysphagic, etc?
• Does the child have emotional disturbances related to the diagnosis that will affect care?
• What is the child’s typical daily home routine (shower only at night, meals at specific times, favorite TV shows)?
• Is there anything I can get your child to make their stay more comfortable such as favorite foods, DVDs or toys (if available)?
  

       The next most important factor in the nursing care of the developmentally disabled child is being caring.  If the child has a sensitivity to light, sound, etc., be aware of how your actions may affect him or her. Be aware of how you speak to the child and be sure you speak to them in a way they can understand.  Do not touch the child without warning and never perform a treatment or procedure without explaining all the steps.  Always ask the parents if there is a better way to perform necessary tasks.  This will likely not be the first time the child has received medical care and the parents usually have an idea of how to best proceed with treatment.  Use distraction if possible during procedures and treatments.

      Remember… if you do not know anything about your patient’s particular disorder, it is your responsibility to educate yourself.  The parents are going to be your best resource for information on how to care for their child.  Parent education is going to be a crucial component of care, especially if the child has been diagnosed with a new condition.  Possibly the most important thing to remember is the fact that developmentally disabled children require compassion during all aspects of their care.
 
 
References:

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/developmental_disabilities.cfm

http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/omni/omni.nsf/
23f076d733ded7e74c256570001d92b4/ec07c4f96511a37
2cc256f84007346f1?OpenDocument

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Down+syndrome

http://www.fragilex.org/html/home.shtml

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Autism

http://www.spdfoundation.net/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/metabolicdisorders.html

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Phenylketonuria

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Hypothyroidism

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Cerebral+palsy

 
Back to Top