What developmental models best account for the causes of developmental difficulties?
There are different models that endeavour to explain why developmental difficulties occur and different variables have been attributed to the causes of these difficulties. Woodhead et al (2006) stated that culturally there has been a central focus on the assumption that poor quality parenting produces behavioural difficulties during child development, thus the child is seen as innocent in the creation of difficulties. Good opening statements on the topic. This essay will discuss these assumptions and focus on what other perspectives also account for causes in developmental difficulties. Firstly to set the scene, this essay will discuss the issues surrounding definition, diagnosis and measurement of developmental difficulties. Secondly the transactional model will be explored focusing on how in addition to the parents the child also has a more active role in their own development. Thirdly the social environment model will be discussed which will explore the evidence that suggests that parents are the cause of such difficulties. Thirdly Fourthly? the notion that children’s innate characteristics influence how they behave will be examined through the medical model. To conclude it will be discussed which model or models are paramount in their justification for the causes of developmental difficulties. A very good introduction to the essay format.
The behaviour’s that children display are individual and often vary, although it is culturally expected that children follow predetermined developmental miles stones at particular ages. Children who develop outside of these expectations and display challenging behaviour are labelled as disturbed. These behaviours then become a problem to others and are indentified as disturbing behaviours as they are not tolerated by individuals or society. Well explained. Nevertheless there are numerous meanings variables? that identify disturbed and...