Intellectual disability (ID), previously known as mental retardation is characterised by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. Children with ID can learn new skills but at a slower pace than children without ID. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability, from mild to profound. Intellectual disability affects mental abilities in two areas:<ul><li>Intellectual functioning (such as learning, problem solving, judgement)</li><li>Adaptive functioning (activities of daily life such as communication and independent living)</li></ul> Symptoms:<ul><li>Achieving milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking later than children without ID</li><li>Talking late or having trouble with talking</li><li>Slowly mastering things like potty training, dressing, and feeding themselves</li><li>Difficulty remembering things</li><li>Inability to connect actions with consequences</li><li>Behaviour problems such as frequent tantrums</li><li>Trouble with problem-solving or logical thinking</li></ul> Causes:<ul><li>Genetic syndrome such as Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome</li><li>Head trauma</li><li>Exposure to toxins such as lead or mercury</li><li>Premature birth</li><li>Severely malnourished child</li><li>Brain malformation</li><li>Maternal diseases</li><li>Environmental influences (alcohol, drugs or other toxins)</li><li>Problems during delivery</li></ul> Diagnosis:Intellectual disability is identified by problems in both intellectual and adaptive functioning. Intellectual functioning is usually assessed with an exam by a doctor. A full-scale IQ test might be suggested by your child’s doctor as part of a standard diagnosing procedure. However, the IQ score should not be the only basis of confirming intellectual disability of a child. Once the IQ tests hint towards intellectual disability, your child’s doctor might suggest further genetic tests to determine the cause of intellectual disability. During the diagnosis, three areas of adaptive functioning are considered:<ul><li>Conceptual – language, reading, writing, maths, reasoning, knowledge, memory</li><li>Social – empathy, social judgement, communication skills, ability to follow rules and the ability to make and keep friendships</li><li>Practical – independence in areas such as personal care</li><li>Adaptive functioning is assessed through interviews with family members, teachers and caregivers.</li><li>Intellectual disability can be mild, moderate or severe. Delays in language or motor skills may be seen by age two. However, mild levels of intellectual disability may not be identified until school age when a child may have difficulty with academics. In general, the milder the intellectual disability, the later it’s diagnosed.</li></ul> Treatment:<ul><li>Intellectual disability is a life-long condition and cannot be treated or prevented. However, early and ongoing intervention may improve functioning and enable the person to thrive throughout their lifetime.</li><li>After the diagnosis, the focus then shifts to looking at the child’s strengths and needs, and the supports he or she needs to function at home, in school/work and in the community.</li></ul> Tips for parents:<ul><li>Learn about your child’s disability.</li><li>Connect with other parents of children with disabilities.</li><li>Be patient and accept that your child will learn things slowly compared to other children.</li><li>Encourage independence and responsibility.</li><li>Look for opportunities in your community for social, recreational and sports activities.</li></ul> Prevention: Intellectual Disability cannot be prevented. FAQS about Intellectual Disability:What is intellectual disability?Intellectual Disability is also known as "Mental Retardation". It is a congenital disorder in which the child is born with low intelligence (low IQ – less than 70). Parents can observe a delay in milestone achievement of an intellectually disabled child in comparison to their sibling(s) or other children. Intellectual Disability includes deficit in intellectual functions, such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgement, academic learning, and learning from experience. Can IQ be increased with anything?Not at all. IQ can never be increased as it is a birth defect. Can a child with low IQ study in a normal school?Children with low IQ should be taught in a special school as different interventions and different approaches are needed to teach such children. If the parents are very hard-working, a child with mild intellectual disability can be sent to a normal school. From where I can do check the IQ of my child?You can consult a clinical psychologist for the IQ assessment of your child. Can a child with low IQ live a normal life?Only a child with mild intellectual disability may live a normal life if trained well. Otherwise, children with low IQ are always dependent on others for their basic needs of life.

Here are Intellectual Disability Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, FAQs, and Prevention.

All about Intellectual Disability

Ravina Sewani

Allergy to soy is developed due to the trigger of immune response against the soy proteins which the body considers as threat.Allergic reactions to soy are usually mild and the anaphylactic reaction from soy is very rare.Studies also show that many children outgrow soy allergy in later life but it is better to stay careful. Symptoms:<ul><li>Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or dry cough</li><li>Eczema (a dry, itchy rash) or hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)</li><li>Redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes</li><li>Itchy mouth, ear canal or lip swelling, odd taste in the mouth</li><li>Nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Severe reactions include loss of consciousness, chest pain, turning pale, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or anaphylaxis.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Get your child diagnosed by a doctor. The doctor might examine your child’s medical history as well your family history. The doctor might also suggest one of the tests - skin prick test, blood tests or an Oral Food Challenge to confirm whether your child has an allergy to soy or not. Precautions and treatments:<ul><li>Develop a habit of reading the food labels for ingredients and allergy information.</li><li>Teach your child to mention about the allergy whenever he/she goes to visit someone.</li><li>Inform your child’s school about your child’s allergy to soy. You can also give the medicines prescribed by your doctor to the school which they can use in case of sudden allergic reactions.</li><li>Be careful about the possibility of cross-contact; especially when visiting a restaurant.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician might prescribe antihistamine medicines to fight against allergic reactions due to soy. Always give medications for allergy under proper guidance of the doctor.</li><li>Always keep the allergy medication handy for your child.</li></ul> Foods to avoid in case of soy allergy:<ul><li>Cold-pressed, expelled or extruded soy oil, Natto, Soy cheese, Soy milk, Soy yogurt, Soy sauce, Tofu</li><li>Some of the formula milk contains soy or soy derivatives so it is advisable to consult with your child’s paediatrician before deciding any formula milk for your child.</li><li>Some children can tolerate highly refined soy oil.</li><li>Soy is also a hidden ingredient is some of the pet foods and beauty products like soaps and moisturisers.</li></ul>

Soy, like peanut belongs to the legume family but a child who has a peanut allergy will not necessarily be allergic against soy and vice versa.

Soy allergy

Some children may develop allergic reactions against the chemicals present in the household products like carpet flooring, paints, cleaning chemicals. Symptoms:<ul><li>Itching</li><li>Rashes</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Diarrhoea</li><li>Swelling of the lips or tongue or face</li><li>Throat constriction</li><li>Difficulty in breathing</li><li>Allergies may sometimes also cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis which constricts the airway passage and requires immediate medical attention.</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>Always get your child diagnosed by a healthcare expert and never on your own. Never self-assume that your child has peanut allergy. Commercial home test kits for self-diagnosis are not recommended as they may not be of the required standards.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician may recommend that your child undertake tests like skin prick test, blood test or food/drug challenge. It is important that these tests are performed under medical supervision as these tests might trigger an allergic reaction. Along with these tests, your child’s paediatrician will also examine your child's medical/family history, existing conditions like asthma and eczema.</li></ul> Treating allergies:<ul><li>The best way to prevent allergies of any sort in children is to avoid the source of the allergen.</li><li>In allergies, paediatricians usually prescribe antihistamine medicines for mild allergic reactions. Whereas for severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, your child’s paediatrician will prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI).</li></ul> The most common chemicals triggering these reactions are:<ul><li>Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) emitted by paints, carpets</li><li>Propylene Glycol and Glycol Ethers (PGEs) in cleaning products, paints, or pesticides</li></ul> A few tips to manage allergies due to household items:<ul><li>Avoid your child's exposure to chemical products after diagnosis.</li><li>Replace chemical products with organic or natural cleaning products and avoid aerosol sprays.</li><li>If your child comes in contact with any of these allergens, wash the skin with water immediately and seek expert help from your child’s paediatrician.</li><li>Keep your indoors clean and hygienic if your child has allergies from household products.</li><li>Your doctor may recommend a calamine lotion or an antihistamine for mild reactions. Always keep it handy to treat skin inflammations arising due to chemicals in the products.</li><li>Remove the carpet flooring.</li><li>Opt for a milder paint for the house.</li></ul>

Children may sometimes develop allergy to indoor allergens as well. Hence it is important to maintain the hygiene of your house.

Carpet allergy

Palak Vyas

Begin brushing your baby’s teeth from the time they start appearing. Even in the absence of teeth you can wipe their gums with soft clean cotton cloth carefully. Brush their teeth with clean small soft bristled toothbrush using small circular movements. Change their brush every 3 months. Cause of bad breath could vary:<ul><li>Sometimes, infections can cause bad breath. If your toddler has an infection at the back of his throat, such as tonsillitis, this can make his breath smell foul. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include a sore throat and coughing. Your toddler’s bad breath will disappear when the infection clears up.</li><li>It’s also possible that the smelly breath is because your little one has a blockage in his nose. That could be because he has a cold or sinus infection.</li><li>If your toddler sucks or chews on a blanket, or sucks thumb, it could lead to developing bad breath.</li><li>If your toddler has persistent bad breath, take him for a check-up at the dentist.</li></ul>

It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene since day 1. Bad breath is an indication of poor oral hygiene.

Taking care of Bad breath

If your child develops a swelling or a rash or any other allergic symptom due to medications, then it could possibly be an allergic reaction to the drug.A “true drug allergy” and “drug side effects” are both different. Side effects are usually mentioned on the packaging or on the label of the drug.A drug allergy is an immune response to a drug induced by its components which the body perceives as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction. Mild drug allergy symptoms are:<ul><li>Hives</li><li>Rash</li><li>Itchy skin</li></ul> Severe drug allergy warning signs can include:<ul><li>Swollen face</li><li>Throat tightness</li><li>Trouble breathing</li><li>Light-headed</li><li>Blisters</li><li>Reddened skin</li><li>Whole-body shock with life-threatening low blood pressure</li></ul> Side effects of drug are usually:<ul><li>Nausea</li><li>Lack of energy</li><li>Muscle aches</li><li>Hard to sleep</li><li>Coughing</li><li>Headache</li><li>Stuffy nose</li><li>Stomach cramps</li><li>Diarrhoea</li><li>Constipation</li><li>Ringing in the ears</li><li>Easy bruising</li></ul> <ul><li>Your child can develop a drug allergy even without a history of any other allergy.</li><li>It is also possible that your child may develop an allergy to a drug to which (s)he was not allergic before.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician will diagnose your child's allergy to a drug through clinical diagnosis and allergy tests like SPT (for penicillin) or a Drug Challenge (similar to an Oral Food Challenge) under medical supervision.</li><li>For mild reactions to drug(s), your child may be given an antihistamine or a topical cream prescribed by your child’s paediatrician.</li><li>Severe reactions to a drug could be life-threatening. If you suspect a drug allergy in your child, discontinue it until further advice and seek immediate medical attention.</li><li>Make a note of the drugs your child may be allergic to and keep it handy each time you visit a doctor in the future.</li><li>If the drug your child is allergic to is essential for the child, then your child’s paediatrician may perform a rapid 'drug desensitisation' under medical supervision.</li><li>Vaccine-related drug allergy is rare and largely due to certain components in the vaccine. Alternatives will be recommended by your child’s paediatrician if your child is allergic to a component.</li></ul>

Drug allergies are not very common but it is important to stay aware.

Drug allergy

Samiksha Choithani

Cleft is a split in the lip that can be immediately identified during the birth of a baby. A cleft lip is a split in the lip. Cleft lip and cleft palate can affect one or both sides of the mouth. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur independently of each other or can occur together. A cleft lip is caused due to many reasons - it can be hereditary, exposure to substances like cigarettes, alcohol or medications, diabetes or obesity during pregnancy. Babies having cleft lip can breastfeed comfortably, however babies with a cleft palate may have difficulty in sucking.&nbsp;Consider this while feeding a baby with cleft lip (Without cleft palate):<ul><li>The baby may find it difficult to seal nipple with the mouth. If there is a hissing sound, it indicates that air is entering in the mouth.</li><li>Try to reposition the breast and baby’s mouth to form a vacuum.</li><li>The nipple should be behind the tongue; this will help the baby to hold the nipple in its mouth.</li><li>You can adjust and change positions to identify the one that works the best for your baby</li></ul> A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. A cleft palate can involve the hard palate (the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth), and/or the soft palate. Consider this while breastfeeding a baby with cleft palate:<ul><li>Hold your breast in such a way that baby can get a good grip and latch properly.</li><li>The cleft can be repaired with surgery after 6-12 months but before that do not stop breastfeeding your child.</li><li>Breast milk is very helpful as it does not cause irritation on delicate tissues of the nose and throat and can help to reduce ear problems. Try to avoid formula milk.</li><li>Take help from nurses or specialists to feed the baby with a cleft palate. There are alternate methods like bowl and spoon-feeding, use a breast pump to get the milk in a bowl and feed the child with a spoon.</li></ul>

A cleft occurs because the tissues of the baby’s face and mouth don’t fuse (link) properly.

Breastfeeding a child with cleft lip/palate

Seafood allergy is an immune response induced by the proteins present in the seafood. This is because the body perceives seafood proteins as a threat and results in an allergic reaction.Seafood allergy, particularly fish allergies tend to stay on for life.Seafood is broadly categorised into fish (Tuna, Cod, Flounder, etc.), Crustaceans (crabs, lobster, crayfish, shrimp, prawn, etc.) and Molluscs (squid, snails, clams, oysters, scallops, etc.).If a child is diagnosed with a specific fish allergy, chances are (s)he may be allergic to more than one type of fish.If a child is allergic to fish, it does not mean that they will necessarily develop allergies towards crustaceans and molluscs as well.Confirm any type of allergy after proper diagnosis by a healthcare expert. Symptoms:<ul><li>Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or dry cough</li><li>Eczema (a dry, itchy rash) or hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)</li><li>Redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes</li><li>Itchy mouth, ear canal or lip swelling, odd taste in the mouth</li><li>Nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Severe reactions include loss of consciousness, chest pain, turning pale, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or anaphylaxis.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Seek help from a healthcare expert to get your child diagnosed of the seafood allergy. The doctor will examine your child’s symptoms, medical history, family history, and may suggest a few tests like skin prick tests, blood tests or Oral Food Challenge. Precautions:<ul><li>Avoid all kinds of seafood as the intensity of the reactions varies each time. Even trace amounts of allergens in seafood can cause life-threatening reactions.</li><li>Always read the ingredients on food labels.</li><li>Avoid visiting or eating at Seafood restaurants if your child has an allergy, as the vapours from cooking fish may trigger allergic reactions in highly sensitive children.</li><li>Avoid taking your child to the fish market due to the risk of cross-contact or cross-contamination.</li><li>Always have an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) handy. Inform your child's school or caretakers about the seafood allergy and ensure they have an AAI.</li></ul> Foods to avoid:<ul><li>Pre-packed Scampi, which may contain white fish, imitation crab</li><li>Worcestershire/Barbecue sauces, Caesar salad dressings (may contain anchovies)</li><li>Even nougat or marshmallows may contain fish gelatin</li></ul> Possible sources of crustaceans or molluscs are:<ul><li>Fish Stock, sauces, soups, seafood flavourings, bouillabaisse, and cuttlefish ink</li><li>Fish cakes, pies, nutritional supplements</li><li>Fish food, pet food, fertilisers</li><li>Though Omega 3 fatty acids are recommended as a therapeutic option in children with allergy, fish-based Omega 3 products might still contain fish protein. Hence they need to be avoided as well.</li></ul> Seafood poisoning and seafood allergy:<ul><li>Seafood poisoning and seafood allergies are two totally different things even though their symptoms may seem similar.</li><li>Seafood poisoning is caused due to due to toxins and infections. The most common forms are given below:</li><li>Fish poisoning: Occurs after ingesting fish which is improperly frozen or poorly cooked, causing the bacteria to grow.</li><li>Herring worm infection: This is caused due to a parasite ingested while eating raw or pickled seafood.</li><li>Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP): A toxin-induced seafood poisoning occurs in a child when (s)he ingests fish which contains algae toxin - ciguatoxins.</li><li>The treatments for seafood allergy and seafood toxins are also completely different. In seafood allergy, doctors usually prescribe antihistamine medications and adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) to children. Whereas in seafood poisoning, the medicine prescriptions are different. In any case, never give medications which haven’t been prescribed by your child’s paediatrician.</li></ul>

Seafood allergy is one of the common food allergies.

Seafood allergy

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects your ability to read, spell, write, and speak. Kids who have it are often smart and hardworking, but they have trouble connecting the letters they see to the sounds those letters make. Some people are diagnosed early in life. Others don't realize they have dyslexia until they get older. Kids with dyslexia are just as smart as their peers but they struggle more in school because it takes them longer to read. When children learn to read, they first figure out what sound each letter makes. For example, "B" makes a "buh" sound. "M" makes an "em" sound. Then, they learn how to put those sounds in order to form words. Finally, they have to figure out what words mean.For kids who have dyslexia, the brain has a hard time connecting letters to the sounds they make, and then blending those sounds into words. So to someone with dyslexia, the word "saw" might read as "was." Because of these mix-ups, reading can be a slow and difficult process.Dyslexia is different for everyone. Some people have a mild form and eventually learn how to manage. Others have a little more trouble overcoming it. Even if children cannot fully outgrow dyslexia, they can still go to college and succeed in life. Causes: Dyslexia is caused due to genetic reasons. Symptoms in Preschoolers:<ul><li>Hard to learn or remember the letters of the alphabet.</li><li>Mispronounce familiar words.</li><li>Mixing up letters. For example, mistaking "t" for "d."</li><li>Trouble identifying rhyming patterns.</li></ul> Symptoms in Grade Schoolers:<ul><li>Read more slowly than other kids their age</li><li>Can't tell the difference between certain letters or words</li><li>Don't connect letters with the sounds they make</li><li>Write letters or numbers backwards, such as "b" instead of "d"</li><li>Have trouble sounding out words when they read</li><li>Can't always understand what they've read</li><li>Write slowly</li><li>Misspell words - even easy words like "and" and "dog"</li><li>Say that words on the page appear to blur or jump around</li><li>Struggle to follow a series of instructions</li></ul> Middle and high school students with dyslexia:<ul><li>Have trouble writing clearly (make errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation)</li><li>Take a long time to finish their homework or complete tests</li><li>Have messy handwriting</li><li>Speak slowly</li><li>Avoid reading aloud</li><li>Use the wrong words - like "furnish" instead of "finish" or "lotion" for "ocean"</li></ul> Common symptoms in children with dyslexia:<ul><li>Frustration</li><li>Anger</li><li>Disinterest in studies</li><li>Disobedience</li><li>Lower self-esteem</li></ul> Diagnosis:Dyslexia is usually diagnosed during elementary school. In some cases, it doesn't become apparent until a child is older and is expected to read and comprehend longer and more complex material. Dyslexia is formally diagnosed by a reading specialist or psychologist, through a comprehensive evaluation either at school or in the community. Managing Dyslexia:<ul><li>Once diagnosed, a child usually works with a specially trained teacher, tutor, or reading specialist to help children in learning how to read, spell, and write.</li><li>Once a child starts working with trained academic professionals, (s)he can overcome dyslexia and lead a normal life. Children with dyslexia should be offered the maximum support of their loved ones.</li></ul> Risk factors:<ul><li>A family history of dyslexia or other learning disabilities.</li><li>Premature birth or low birth weight.</li><li>Exposure during pregnancy to nicotine, drugs, alcohol or infection that may alter brain development in the fetus.</li><li>Individual differences in the parts of the brain that enable reading.</li></ul> Prevention: Dyslexia cannot be prevented. FAQs about Dyslexia:What is dyslexia?Dyslexia is now called Specific learning disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that influences the brain's ability to efficiently perceive or process verbal and nonverbal information.It is characterised by persistent difficulty in learning academic skills like reading, written expression, or mathematics. Dyslexia begins in early childhood and is inconsistent with the overall intellectual ability of a child. Children with specific learning disorder often find it difficult to keep up with their peers in certain academic subjects, whereas they may excel in other areas. How can I confirm that my child has dyslexia or not?You may suspect that your child has dyslexia when the IQ of your child is normal yet your child lags behind in some areas of academics or when (s)he does not score well even though (s)he learns very well.&nbsp;What is the treatment of Dyslexia?Treatment for Dyslexia depends on the area in which a child lags behind. Teaching specific learning skills through different behaviour therapies or software-based therapies are helpful. Is there any medicine for Dyslexia?NO. There is no medication for dyslexia; the treatment for this condition is through behaviour-based and software-based therapies. If the child has other co-morbid conditions like ADHD or other psychological problems then medicines can be given accordingly. Can a child with dyslexia study?Yes. A child with dyslexia can study normally if the area of problem is identified and interventions are done timely.

Here are Dyslexia Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management, Risk factors, Prevention, and FAQs.

All about Dyslexia

Allergic reactions towards celery are triggered when the body perceives the proteins in celery as a threat.Allergic reactions to celery may range from Oral Allergy Syndrome to severe allergic reactions.Allergic reactions towards celery are very rare but it is better to always stay careful. Symptoms:<ul><li>Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or dry cough</li><li>Eczema (a dry, itchy rash) or hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)</li><li>Redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes</li><li>Itchy mouth, ear canal or lip swelling, odd taste in the mouth</li><li>Nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Severe reactions include loss of consciousness, chest pain, turning pale, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or anaphylaxis.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Seek help from a healthcare expert to get your chid diagnosed of the celery allergy. The doctor will examine your child’s symptoms, medical history, family history, and may suggest a few tests like skin prick tests, blood tests or Oral Food Challenge. Precautions:<ul><li>Develop a habit of reading food labels for the ingredients. Teach your child the same.</li><li>Teach your child to mention about the allergy whenever he/she goes to visit someone.</li><li>Avoid consuming all forms of celery (raw or cooked) including celeriac (the root of celery), celery seeds or celery salt (used for flavouring).</li><li>Inform your child's school of your child's allergy to celery. You can provide your child’s school with necessary medicines and adrenaline auto-injectors (AAI) as the school might need these when your child shows allergic reactions suddenly.</li></ul> Foods to avoid:Canned soup, stock cubes, crisps, mar-mite, sandwiches, and salad

Celery is a marshland plant with long fibrous stalk. Even though celery allergy is not very common, it is better to stay aware.

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