What are Neurological Conditions?

What are Neurological Conditions?

Neurological conditions are disorders that affect the structure and function of the nervous system. They can impact a person's motor skills, language development, muscle tone, and even consciousness levels. These conditions can manifest in various ways, including seizures, paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, confusion, and pain.

• Seizures: This is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness.
• Paralysis: This is the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It can be localized or generalized, partial or complete, and temporary or permanent.
• Loss of Sensation: This can occur in any part of the body. If you feel as if you’ve lost sensation, you may experience numbness, tingling, or a pins and needles sensation.

What are the Warning Signs of Neurological Disorders in Children?

Some warning signs of neurological disorders in children include seizures, floppy baby syndrome, unresponsive episodes, slow language and/or motor skills development, and abnormal muscle tone at birth. Other signs may include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, confusion, pain, and altered levels of consciousness.

• Floppy Baby Syndrome: Also known as hypotonia, this is a state of low muscle tone, often involving reduced muscle strength.
• Slow Language Development: This is when a child develops language skills more slowly than their peers. It can affect their ability to speak, understand, read, and write.
• Abnormal Muscle Tone at Birth: This can be a sign of a neurological or muscle disorder. It can cause stiffness, floppiness, or other unusual postures.

What are Some Neurodivergent Conditions?

Neurodivergent is a non-medical term that describes people with variations in their mental functions. Some examples of neurodivergent conditions include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): This is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. It includes a wide range, or spectrum, of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This is a disorder that includes symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
• Dyscalculia: This is a specific learning disability in math. Individuals with this type of learning disability may have difficulty understanding arithmetic concepts and doing problems.

Can Newborns Have Neurological Disorders?

Yes, newborns can also have neurological disorders. Some of these may include seizures or abnormal movements, developmental delays, and difficulty with physical mobility.

• Seizures or Abnormal Movements: In newborns, seizures are often subtle and may involve twitching, eye fluttering, or lip smacking.
• Developmental Delays: These are when a child does not reach developmental milestones at the expected times. It can affect one or many areas of growth, such as motor, speech, or social skills.
• Difficulty with Physical Mobility: This can be a sign of a neurological disorder. It can affect a child's ability to move, sit, crawl, or walk.

What are the Treatments for Neurological Disorders?

Treatments for neurological disorders can vary greatly depending on the specific condition and its severity. Some possible treatments include device-based therapies such as deep-brain stimulation, surgeries including procedures to remove tumors, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.

• Deep-Brain Stimulation: This is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms. It involves implanting a device that sends electrical signals to brain areas responsible for body movement.
• Surgeries to Remove Tumors: These are procedures to remove brain tumors. The type of surgery depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: These are therapies designed to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities.

How Can Healthy Young Minds (HYM) Help with Neurological Conditions?

Healthy Young Minds (HYM) provides mental and behavioral teletherapy services for children, teens, and young adults, including those with neurological conditions. HYM's therapists work with parents and children to develop a comprehensive care plan, providing support for the whole family and helping children develop resiliency, self-sufficiency, regulation, and functionality.

• Teletherapy Services: These are therapy services provided remotely via videoconferencing. They can be beneficial for those who cannot easily access in-person therapy.
• Comprehensive Care Plan: This is a detailed plan developed by therapists to address a child's specific needs. It includes strategies for managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
• Family Support: HYM provides support for the whole family, allowing parents to observe sessions, learn strategies, and access training to better support their child.