one child has autism.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Developmental disorders comprise a group of psychiatric conditions originating in childhood that involve serious impairment in different areas. There are several ways of using this term. The most narrow concept is used in the category \"Specific Disorders of Psychological Development\" in the ICD-10. These disorders comprise language disorders, learning disorders, motor disorders and autism spectrum disorders. In broader definitions ADHD is included, and the term used is neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet others include antisocial behavior and schizophrenia that begins in childhood and continues through life. However, these two latter conditions are not as stable as the other developmental disorders, and there is not the same evidence of a shared genetic liability. Developmental disorders are present from early life. They usually improve as the child grows older, but they also entail impairments that continue through adult life. There is a strong genetic component, and more males are afflicted than females. Learning disabilities are diagnosed when the children are young and just beginning school. Most learning disabilities are found under the age of 9. Young children with communication disorders may not speak at all, or may have a limited vocabulary for their age.\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "My youngest son has a moderate speech delay."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I'm sorry to hear that. Speech delay is also known as alalia and is when there is a delay in the use of the mechanism that produces speech. Does he get speech therapy?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes, he's been getting speech therapy since he was 2."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Great, speech or voice therapy is used to improve or modify the human voice. I am sure with time he can overcome his mild alalia."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes, well he has epilepsy and we just discovered it so him taking medications stops his absent seizures and will help him get his speech."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Oh I understand. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can result in epilectic seizures. Glad to hear he is on medication for his condition."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes it's working great so far."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Epilepsy can be caused by specific syndromes, especially among children. There is a lot of research being done to determine the cause."}]