12 - Developmental and Acquired Disabilities in Adolescence

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses developmental and acquired disabilities in adolescence. Adolescence to the disabled individual represents a period of accelerated growth, self-awareness, self-concern, anxiety, and conflict. The disabled child, adolescent, and adult face many barriers that emphasizes the handicap and the need for help. Muscle contracture, muscle weakness, and altered circulation add to the potential for deformity. Balance is disturbed by increasing trunk and upper extremity weight and the upward movement of the center of gravity. Ambulation energy demands increase as the child grows. Impaired communications in speech, language, and handwriting have far-reaching consequences in family, school, social, and vocational areas. Concerns about health planning and special needs extend the period of dependency and extend the sense of always being a patient. Decision making occurs at many levels for the handicapped child, many of which center around special needs. Developing self-esteem is a problem faced by all adolescents. To understand the disabled adolescent, it is important to analyze the developmental sequence of socialization.