March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
What are intellectual and developmental disabilities?
The exact definitions of intellectual disabilities (ID) and developmental disabilities (DD) depend on the organization. For example, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has definitions that might be different from the Social Security Administration (SSA). These definitions could also be different from others used by healthcare or insurance providers.
The CDC says:
- DD is considered a broad category that encompasses lifelong challenges that can be intellectual, physical, or both before the age of 22.
- ID starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by differences in both intellectual functioning/intelligence and adaptive behavior.
The (National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities) has launched campaign to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month. This campaign serves to recognize that people with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities.
IDD History
In 1987, Congress issued Public Law 99-483 to designate March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan then issued Proclamation 5613 to increase public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.
IDD Today
In an article titled , the CDC found that regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or socioeconomic background, DD can affect any family. At Helping Hand, we see clients of all cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Take a walk around our Countryside location and you can see how truly diverse our community is. Recent estimates have shown about 1 in 6, or about 17%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities.
Some common developmental disabilities include:
- Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Learning disability (LD)
- Intellectual disability (ID)
- Cerebral palsy
HH is able to provide a wide range of care to children and adults with DD. Through Genuine Care and Education, we are able to provide our clients with the tools they need to live their most independent lives.
Follow HH on social media to see how we are celebrating DD Awareness Month. This celebration shouldn’t be contained in the month of March but needs to be practiced every day. Everyone has the responsibility to keep learning, engaging, and building communities where everyone belongs.
This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities deserve access to healthcare, employment, education, recreation, and community.