Developmental Disabilities: What You Should Know
March is National
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, so proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan
in 1987. This is the month in which
advocates across the U.S. really focus their efforts to build awareness and
acceptance in their communities. One important aspect of raising awareness is
educating our fellow citizens. Let’s
first talk about what developmental disabilities are.
The Centers for Disease Control defines Developmental
Disabilities as “a group of conditions due to an
impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.” ₁
A complex mix
of factors are thought to be the cause of developmental disabilities; genetics,
parental health and behaviors during pregnancy, complications during birth,
infections the mother might have during pregnancy or the baby might have very
early in life, and exposure of the mother or child to high levels of
environmental toxins. For the most part,
the cause or causes of developmental disabilities is unknown.₂
One criterion for determining
developmental disability is found in the Americans With Disabilities Act: “Results in substantial functional
limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
(i) Self-care;
(ii) Receptive and expressive language;
(iii) Learning;
(iv) Mobility;
(v) Self-direction;
(vi) Capacity for independent living; and
(vii) Economic self-sufficiency.”₃
(i) Self-care;
(ii) Receptive and expressive language;
(iii) Learning;
(iv) Mobility;
(v) Self-direction;
(vi) Capacity for independent living; and
(vii) Economic self-sufficiency.”₃
The CDC
estimates 1 in 6 American children have one or more developmental disabilities
or other developmental delays.₁ According to the U.S.
Census Bureau in a 2010 report, 1 in 5 Americans have a disability.₄
The most
common conditions which fall under the developmental disabilities designation
are:
Intellectual Disabilities –
formerly known as mental retardation, intellectual disabilities (ID) limit a person’s ability to learn and
function at levels typical for their
chronological age. The disability is
diagnosed in three categories: mild, moderate,
or severe.
Autism – Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) is a group of highly variable developmental
disabilities which creates social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Persons with Autism are usually sensitive
to sensory stimulation and can be
affected by light, sound, and touch.
Cerebral Palsy – Cerebral Palsy
(CP) is a group of disorders which affect a person’s
movement, balance, and posture. Persons with cerebral palsy often also have intellectual disability,
seizures, or problems with speech, hearing, or vision.
Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) – Down
Syndrome occurs when a child inherits extra
genetic material during conception. This
extra chromosome causes delays in
mental and physical development. The physical appearance of persons with Down Syndrome varies by individual as
does associated medical conditions.
Spina Bifida (cleft spine) is a
condition in which the development of the brain, spine, or protective covering around them is incomplete.
Complications associated with
Spina Bifida vary from minor physical problems with minimal impairment to severe physical and mental
disabilities.
ADHD - The Centers for Disease
Control also list ADHD as a developmental disability;
though not everyone agrees with this designation. Persons with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have a difficult time
paying attention, controlling
impulsive behaviors, and/or being overly active. Although there is no cure, ADHD can be
managed with medication and behavior therapy.
1. Take the time to educate yourself and
others about the needs of people with developmental disabilities in Wyoming. Learn about the issues facing Persons with DD
in Wyoming, talk to family members, community program providers, or other
advocates such as Friends of WLRC (info@friendsofwlrc.org).
2. Make sure that your words and actions
are respectful of those with developmental disabilities. Have conversations with your family and
friends about the harmful impact of using derogatory language towards people
with DD.
3. Contact your legislators and
congressional delegates. Let them know
you are concerned about continuing publicly funded services in the face of
budget cuts and you expect them to enact public policy to assist people with
disabilities.
4. Take the time to get to know someone
with developmental disabilities. Your
understanding and perspective will be positively changed.
5. Support businesses that employ people
with developmental disabilities and make sure they know you noticed.
6. Conduct community-based activities such
as campaigns in your school or business.
7. Write a blog post about someone you
know with a developmental disability and explain how they’ve inspired you.
8. “Like” the Friends of Wyoming Life
Resource Center’s Facebook page and post this as your Facebook status: I
support and celebrate people with developmental disabilities and you should
too!
1. Centers for Disease Control - Definition
2. Centers for Disease Control – Causes
3 Florida Developmental Disabilities Council – Federal
Definition
http://www.fddc.org/federal_law
4. U.S. Census Bureau – 2010 Report
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html
5. Centers for Disease Control – Specific Conditions
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/specificconditions.htmlLabels: ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Disabilities, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Trisomy 21
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