Risk factors in child development
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should have a better understanding of the circumstances and conditions associated with developmental disorders and delays in children.
This chapter from Empson and Nabuzoka's Atypical Child Development in Context looks at the concept of risk and discusses the factors that can negatively impact on child development. It also considers protective mechanisms which can offset these.
Using practice scenarios, different types of risk factor – biological, environmental and psychosocial – are discussed in turn, as well as their scope for interaction.
Implications for intervention and the family are presented.
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Reflective Questions
- Why is low birth weight an important risk factor in child development and why can it not be viewed as a purely biological factor?
- What environmental stressors can you identify in the area in which you live, study or hope to work? What do you think the impact of these could be on child development and why?
- In this chapter, poverty is categorised as an environmental factor. Make the case for it being considered a psychosocial factor.