Recognizing Medical Conditions
Delayed or deficient development of language is a common symptom of many developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, communication disorders, hearing impairment, and hydrocephalus. Patients with speech or language difficulties should be referred for consultation by a speech and language pathologist for an individualized speech and language therapy program. The speech and language pathologist can also help train physicians, nurses, and parents/caregivers to communicate more effectively with the patient.
The spectrum of speech and language deficits ranges from mild speech deficits to severe communication disorders that affect both expressive and receptive language. The four basic categories of communication disorders are:
Elective mutism refers to people (usually children aged 3 to 5) who have the ability to speak and use language effectively, but who refuse to talk under certain circumstances or will only talk to certain individuals. Referral to a psychiatrist is warranted in this situation because psychotherapy and behavior modification may be helpful.
Hearing impairment may also be the cause of communication deficits. Referral to an audiologist is warranted if hearing impairment is suspected based on observation of the patient or concerns communicated by parents/caregivers. In addition, it is important that any child with delayed or abnormal speech and language development undergo objective audiological testing in order to rule out even mild to moderate bilateral or unilateral hearing loss, which can have significant adverse effects on language development, communication skills, and social skills.
Primary care physicians may need to rely on nonverbal methods of communication in order to diagnose, treat, and follow-up on medical conditions in patients who are unable or unwilling to communicate verbally. It is important to be confident when working with nonverbal patients, as alternate forms of communication are often very effective and easy to use. It is also important to help parents and caregivers learn how to use alternate forms of communication.
It may be important to manipulate the arrangement of visual information, the setting, or the teaching techniques in order to:
Communication methods should be tailored to the individual’s learning style, which often includes a combination of visual and auditory inputs. The primary physician may consider referring a nonverbal patient for evaluation by a speech and language pathologist with expertise in augmentative communication in order to ascertain which system would be most appropriate.
The following are examples of ways to communicate with a patient who uses limited verbal communication. Impaired cognitive skills may prevent some patients from using these forms of communication.
Clinicians and patients may use gestures, facial expressions, objects or pictures to communicate simple choices. Using the context of the environment may assist with comprehension.
The patient points to pictures, symbols, or words on a flat communication board. There are also electronic communication boards available, often with voice synthesizers.
Computers make highly individualized intervention programs more possible. For example, computers can alter the rate, loudness, and pitch of sounds based on individual needs. Some patients may also be able to use typewriters or tape recorders to better express themselves.
Some patients may not be able to learn this language, and clinicians cannot be expected to be fluent; however, knowing a few functional signs is usually possible for both. For example, it may be possible to learn how to signal pain, discomfort, hunger, thirst, etc.
When a patient cannot speak or otherwise communicate effectively, it becomes essential for physicians to focus on the patient’s behavior when making a diagnostic formulation. In persons with developmental disabilities, specific behaviors can sometimes be clues to medical or psychiatric conditions [Return to the index for a complete document on Psychiatric Co-morbidity]. In general, localizing signs or symptoms suggest local disease. For example, walking with a limp suggests pathology in one leg while inability to walk suggests unrelated pathology in both legs (an unlikely occurrence) or systemic illness involving the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system, the vascular system, or other organ system. As a result, the presence of localizing signs and symptoms should lead to careful evaluation of the area.
In people with developmental disabilities, many serious clinical problems do not present with localized findings until the course of the problem is well advanced; instead, constitutional signs or symptoms are present. In most cases, the specific etiology can be determined through a detailed review of the history of the present illness, a careful review of systems, and a thorough physical examination with appropriate diagnostic testing. On rare occasions, however, these strategies will be unsuccessful and the underlying diagnosis will escape detection. In these instances, there are two general approaches. First, if the level of distress is not great and there appears to be no life-threatening illness, the physician may choose to manage the problem expectantly.
Second, if the symptoms are more significant or there is concern over the presence of a life-threatening illness, it would be prudent to undertake additional testing. Additional testing should be guided by knowledge about the prevalence of specific conditions associated with developmental disabilities.
Below is a list of specific symptoms and underlying conditions that may be related. While the list is not exhaustive, it is intended to guide additional evaluation for the patient who presents with non-specific or constitutional symptoms. Keep in mind that the same symptom in the same person can mean something different at different times.
Kastner, T., Walsh, K. (1999). Challenging Behavior Problems in Children with Mental Retardation. In: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. (Eds.) Parker and Zuckerman. Little Brown.
Kastner, T,. Walsh, K,. Fraser, M. (2001). Undiagnosed Medical Conditions and Medication Side Effects Presenting as Behavioral/Psychiatric Problems Among People with Mental Retardation. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities 4(3). 101-108.
McGrath, PJ, et al. (1998). Behaviours Caregivers Use to Determine Pain in Non-verbal, Cognitively Impaired Individuals. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 40(5), 340-343.
The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Branch: Report to the NACHHD Council. (1997). National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Batshaw, M.L., Perret, Y.M., Bleile, K., (1992). Children with Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing., pp. 351-364.
Capute, A.J., P.J. Accardo. (1991). Developmental Disabilities in Infancy and Childhood. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing., pp. 175-179.
Panacha, R. (1996). Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. In A.J. Capute & P.J. Accardo (2nd ed.), Developmental Disabilities in Infancy and Childhood (pp.337-346). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Ryan, R., et al. (1997). Nonverbal Complaints/ Clues (handout from Whole Person Assessment Seminar) (June).
Smith Consultant Group and McGowan Consultants. (1998). (Ed.) M.L Snyder, Signs and Symptoms of Illness. Health and Wellness Reference Guide. Neri Productions, State of Tennessee Commission on Compliance , pp. 117-121.
Wang, P., Baron, M.A. (1996). Language: A Code for Communicating In A.J. Capute & P.J. Accardo (2nd ed.), Developmental Disabilities in Infancy and Childhood (pp.621-642). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
Wardinsky, T. (1998). Training Manual on Medical Needs of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Alta California Regional Center, 1997-1998 Wellness Project.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 800-638-8255,
http://www.asha.org
The Arc, 800-433-5255,
California Department of Developmental Services, 916-654-1690,
California Regional Centers, 915-654-1958,
http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/RCInfo.cfm
California Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 916-921-1568,
Exceptional Parent Magazine, 800-247-8080,
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 914-428-7100,
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 301-496-7243
Theodore A. Kastner, M.D., M.S.
Felice Weber Parisi, M.D., M.P.H.
Joan M. Reese, M.D., M.P.H.
Terrance D. Wardinsky, M.D.
Funded by a grant from the California Department of Developmental Services
For more information, contact:
Center for Health Improvement
1330 21st Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 901-9645
This document does not provide advice regarding medical diagnosis or treatment for any individual case, and any opinions or statements contained in this document are not intended to serve as a standard of medical care. Physicians are encouraged to view the considerations presented in this document in light of evolving scientific information. This document is not intended for use by the layperson. Reproduction of this document may be done with proper credit given to California Department of Developmental Services and the Center for Health Improvement.