There are several possible warning signs of intellectual disability that a baby can exhibit. While each baby develops functional life skills at different points, some symptoms may make it easier to know if your baby has an intellectual disability. For example, if your baby has delays or difficulties learning to crawl or sit up on their own, then this could be a sign of intellectual disability.
Some warning signs manifest later in life, however. For example, children who have difficulty speaking or picking up on standard social cues may have an intellectual disability. If you want to know if your baby has an intellectual disability, then seeking help from a physician is important. Depending on the prevalence of early warning signs, a complete evaluation may be necessary within the first five years of a child’s life.
Of course, each case is different. If you see any early warning signs of intellectual disability in your child, then seeking out professional medical help can provide you with clarity. Knowing what your child is experiencing is the first step in the journey of dealing with a child that has an intellectual disability.
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Understanding Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities appear to be growing more common in the United States. Data shared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that the percentage of children who received an intellectual disability diagnosis increased significantly between 1997 and 2017. However, it is important to note that a change in the survey questions may have played some role in the increase from .6% to 1.5%.
Every intellectual disability can affect children differently. To account for these differences, medical professionals may use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat an intellectual disability in a baby.
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Common Causes of Intellectual Disabilities
Information from Medline Plus, suggests that doctors only find the specific cause of a child’s intellectual disability in 25% of cases. Even so, there are some common causes doctors may consider when forming a diagnosis.
Genetic factors may cause some intellectual disabilities. Even if a parent does not show signs of intellectual disability, they can pass down a gene that is known to cause these conditions. Genetics can cause intellectual disabilities that present with mild symptoms, while others may progress to more serious levels as a child develops.
Infections that develop in the womb before birth may also factor into a child’s intellectual disability. If a baby’s mother becomes exposed to certain chemicals and substances during her birth term, this can increase the likelihood of infections that cause intellectual disability. Consumption of alcohol and other controlled substances is also known to produce complications in the development of a child, some of which may cause intellectual disabilities.
Intellectual Disability Can Result from Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is another potential cause of intellectual disability in babies. Careless acts of negligence during the birthing process may cause the baby to suffer injuries with lifelong consequences. For example, if a doctor or medical professional applies too much pressure using birthing tools or the baby gets caught in the womb, it can cut off the flow of oxygen to the brain.
Lack of oxygen is a significant factor in many birth injuries and may cause issues with brain development. Medical professionals who cause these injuries with their misconduct or negligence should be held responsible.
If you suspect that an act of medical malpractice caused an intellectual disability in your baby, you may be eligible to receive compensation. A lawyer who takes on birth injury cases like this can work to collect evidence and establish a liable party on your behalf. This helps them to go after any forms of financial compensation that may be available to you.
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Once you know if your baby has an intellectual disability, you can begin to determine what may have caused the disability to develop. If you suspect that a doctor’s negligence during the birth is responsible for your child’s intellectual disability, you may have a case for medical malpractice.
A birth injury lawyer can stand up to represent your legal interests in a medical malpractice case, gathering and presenting evidence to prove your claim. In addition to determining a value for your case, a lawyer who agrees to represent you will also communicate with any other relevant parties on your behalf.
For a free consultation, reach out to a member from the team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
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