What is a Developmental Disability?
A developmental disability is a mental, physical or emotional condition which affects the normal development of an individual. The condition(s) become apparent at birth or before the age of 22 and is expected to last for a lifetime. These conditions include:
Developmental disabilities have a variety of causes, which can occur before, during or after birth. Those occurring before birth include genetic problems, poor prenatal care or exposure of the fetus to toxic elements, drugs or alcohol. Occurrences during birth, such as a lack of oxygen to the baby, or accidents after birth, like car accidents causing traumatic brain injury, also can cause developmental disabilities.
People with developmental disabilities have varying needs and abilities. Some people may require additional support in areas such as health care, specialized therapy, vocational support and activities of daily living.
While people who have developmental disabilities face more challenges than most, given the proper support and opportunities, they can enjoy full, active lives and be integral members of their communities.
Mental Retardation
People with mental retardation have limited ability to learn and sometimes have difficulty applying what they have learned. An individual is considered to have mental retardation based on the following three criteria:
Mental retardation can result from a variety of factors, including premature birth, genetic abnormalities, malnutrition, exposure to toxic agents and social deprivation.
Through education and training, most people with mental retardation can learn to be self-sufficient. Assistance usually includes diagnosis and help early in life, family counseling and training, education, job training and residential services.
Autism
Autism is a developmental disorder that limits learning and slows intellectual development. While autism’s cause is still unknown, most researchers believe it has a biological basis which is probably genetic.
People with autism have great difficulty relating and responding to others, events or objects. People who have mild autism have limited interests. They may demonstrate some repetitive actions and a marked lack of sensitivity to other people. People who have more severe autism have difficulty listening to and communicating with others. Their interactions with people can be confusing, or uncertain at best. They may have multiple, repetitive behaviors, for example, rocking and unusual hand movements, and can be highly resistant to change.
It often is possible to diagnose autism before someone is two years old. When a child fails to develop language abilities or shows a lack of desire to be around other people, professionals generally recommend clinical examinations that can uncover autism.
Early diagnosis is important so that care and treatments, such as parent training, highly structured recreation programs, specialized education, residential services and training in daily living and social skills can be used to improve each child’s chances for development.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the result of injury to the central nervous system which may occur before, during or anytime after birth and causes limited or abnormal functioning in the parts of the brain that control movement.
People with cerebral palsy primarily have difficulty with muscular coordination. They may also have seizures or be unable to see, speak, hear or learn. Severe speech problems are common, sometimes leading others to make the mistake of thinking that people with cerebral palsy have mental retardation. This is often not true.
Treatments for cerebral palsy include physical, occupational and speech/language therapy by skilled professionals. In-home and out-of-home residential services are also available.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy (seizure disorder) applies to numerous nervous system disorders that result in abnormal electrical discharges of brain cells. This produces seizures that may cause convulsive movements, or partial or total loss of consciousness. Only a small percentage of people with epilepsy also have mental retardation.
Seizures can usually be controlled or prevented by the use of medicine. As a result, most people with epilepsy lead normal lives. When medication is not effective, specialized medical services, vocational programs as well as in-home and out-of-home residential services are available.
Other Neurological Impairments
Neurological impairments are a group of disabilities including disorders of the brain and central nervous system that generally begin during childhood or adolescence. These impairments considerably limit a person’s development, understanding, memory, attention span, fine muscle control, use of language, or ability to adjust to new situations.
People with neurological impairments may experience a variety of learning difficulties or social behavior problems. They may also have special care needs because of problems in muscle control.
While neurological impairments can be difficult to diagnose and to treat, most people learn to compensate for these disabilities and do very well in life.
Facts about Developmental Disabilities
- 7 times more prevalent than deafness.
- 10 times more prevalent than physical disabilities.
- 12 times more prevalent than cerebral palsy.
- 15 times more prevalent than total blindness.
- 35 times more prevalent than muscular dystrophy.
Source: "You + Me = A Community" brochure published by the Developmental Disability Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY)
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Last modified 06/13/07