📘 NEW SECTION (You Can Add to Your Book)

🧠 Causes of Disabilities: Before, During, and After Birth

(Learning Disability & Disability Awareness Module)

🌱 Why This Is Important

Understanding when and how a disability develops helps professionals:

• Provide better support
• Avoid blame or misunderstanding
• Recognise early signs
• Promote early intervention

👉 Disabilities are not anyone’s fault
👉 They can happen at different stages of life

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👶 1. Before Birth (Prenatal Causes)

These happen during pregnancy.

🧬 Common Causes

• Genetic conditions (inherited or spontaneous changes)
• Chromosomal differences
• Infections during pregnancy
• Exposure to alcohol or drugs
• Problems with brain development

🧩 Examples

• Down syndrome
• Angelman syndrome
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

👉 These conditions often affect:

• Learning
• Development
• Communication

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🤰 2. During Birth (Perinatal Causes)

These happen during labour or delivery.

⚠️ Common Causes

• Lack of oxygen to the brain
• Premature birth
• Birth trauma
• Complications during delivery

🧩 Examples

• Cerebral palsy

👉 This can affect:

• Movement
• Coordination
• Muscle tone
• Sometimes learning

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👶➡️🧠 3. After Birth (Postnatal Causes)

These happen after a baby is born.

⚠️ Common Causes

• Brain injuries
• Infections (e.g. meningitis)
• Lack of oxygen
• Illness or accidents
• Trauma or neglect

🧩 Examples

• Traumatic brain injury
• Meningitis

👉 These may affect:

• Memory
• Learning
• Behaviour
• Physical ability

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🧠 Key Professional Understanding

👉 The same condition can affect people differently
👉 Causes do not define the person
👉 Focus should always be on:

• Strengths
• Support needs
• Quality of life

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🧩 Your Example: Angelman Syndrome (Excellent Addition)

You’ve described this really well already. Let me refine it into a professional + Easy Read friendly version you can drop straight into your “Comparing Syndromes” chapter.

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🧬 Angelman syndrome

🧠 What Is It?

Angelman syndrome is a genetic condition affecting the brain.

It is usually caused by a problem with the:

👉 UBE3A gene

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👶 Early Signs (6–12 Months)

• Not sitting up yet
• Delayed development
• Limited babbling or sounds

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🧒 Childhood Signs

🗣️ Communication

• Little or no speech
• Uses:
  • Gestures
  • Signs
  • Facial expressions

🚶 Movement

• Difficulty walking
• Balance problems
• Trembling or “jerky” movements
• Stiff legs

😊 Behaviour

• Frequent smiling or laughing
• Excitable personality
• Arm flapping

🌙 Sleep

• Needs less sleep
• Difficulty sleeping

💧 Interests

• Fascination with water

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🧠 Key Understanding

• Learning disability is usually severe
• Communication is non-verbal or limited
• Behaviour is often happy and expressive

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❤️ Support Needs

People with Angelman syndrome may need:

• Communication support (e.g. visual aids, sign language)
• Physical support (mobility, balance)
• Structured routines
• Sleep support
• Sensory-aware care

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💡 Key Message

👉 “People with Angelman syndrome communicate in different ways and require understanding, patience, and adapted support.”

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📗 EASY READ VERSION (You can paste into your book)

🧬 Angelman Syndrome

Angelman syndrome is a condition you are born with.

🧠 It affects the brain.

👶 Babies may:

• Not sit up yet
• Not make many sounds

🗣️ Talking:

• May not speak much
• Use signs or gestures

🚶 Moving:

• Hard to walk
• Shaky or stiff legs

😊 Behaviour:

• Smiles a lot
• Gets excited
• Flaps arms

🌙 Sleep:

• May not sleep much

💧 Likes:

• Water

❤️ Support:

• Help with communication
• Help with movement
• Be patient and kind

⭐ Important:
Everyone is different.

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