There are various personal factors which can affect the development of children and young people. When a child is conceived, their genetics are formed. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as well as deciding, hair colour our genetics can influence addiction, depression and self-esteem issues. A baby’s development can also be affected during pregnancy. A mother’s lifestyle can also have an effect. Smoking, consumption of alcohol, infections picked up, stress, anxiety and diet can all influence the development of a child before birth. Factors such as being born premature or being injured during birth can also affect progress. After birth there are various aspects which can affect children and young people’s development. These include:
Health Status
A combination of genetics and other factors can affect a child or young person’s health. There may be conditions such as cystic fibrosis (A condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus), sickle cell disease (Abnormally shaped red blood cells resulting in serious infections, anemia and damage organs), diabetes, etc. that have an automatic impact. Even general colds or viruses could have an affect. There may also be problems which are set off by certain conditions such as environment. These conditions can affect all aspects of a child or young person’s development.
Disability
Certain disabilities may affect what a child is able to do physically. Conditions such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy have a physical affect children and their development. Spina bifida occurs when the baby’s spinal cord does not develop properly during pregnancy. As a result the child’s legs may be partially or fully paralysed and they may have a curvature of the spine, difficulties in controlling their bowel and bladder and deformities in bones and joints. Cerebral palsy is