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Symptoms of Dysmaturity
Summary of Overlapping Diagnoses
| Symptom Category | ASD | ADHD | FASD | Trauma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional outbursts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Social immaturity | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Impulse control issues | ↓ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Risky behavior | ↓ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Naïve/gullible | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Poor cause-effect thinking | ↓ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Need for constant supervision | ↓ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Literal thinking | ✔ | ↓ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Executive function struggles | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Regression under stress | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Key:
( ✔ = Common, ↓ = Less common but possible )
Balancing Development and Dignity
| Domain Level | Support Strategy | Dignity Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding |
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| Communication |
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| Expectations |
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| Environment |
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Note: Strategies should be adjusted based on individual needs and situations.
Success Tip: Focus on building bridges between developmental needs and chronological age dignity.
As we have stated, supporting your child with dysmaturity means constantly bridging two worlds of their developmental and chronological ages. Success comes from supporting our kiddos’ unique developmental journey, not pushing them to “catch up.” We encourage you to never lose sight of their ultimate capacity for growth.