Developmental disability

Mental Health Training

You will learn more about what developmental disabilities are, the associated risk factors, and different interventions that can help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their goals.

Developmental disability

Developmental disability is a term used to describe physical or mental impairments caused by particular disorders or illnesses. It includes conditions such as Autism, now called an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, Down, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Individuals with developmental disabilities often experience physical, psychological and communication difficulties and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.

What is child development?

Child development is an exciting process! It refers to how babies and children grow, learn, and master different skills. Four key areas cover physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. Physical development looks at strength and physical abilities; cognitive growth involves thinking and problem-solving. Language development focuses on communication and understanding. Social-emotional development deals with how children interact with others and handle their feelings.

Development milestones

Development milestones mark typical growth stages and are achieved by most children around the same age. However, each child develops individually, making their own timeline.

What Are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are delays in their physical or cognitive development that adversely affect a person’s ability to function in daily life. These delays may affect motor skills, speech, learning and other vital areas of functioning. Depending on the severity of impairments and limitations of the disability, individuals may have difficulties performing tasks independently (such as taking care of oneself) or interacting with others (for example, speaking).

Risk Factors & Causes Associated With Developmental Disability

Risk factors and causes associated with developmental disability vary by diagnosis. Common risk factors include a family history of intellectual disability/developmental delay; advanced parental age; maternal drug use/exposure; premature birth or low birth weight; prenatal exposure to toxins such as alcohol or lead; exposure to environmental toxins such as lead paint; infections during pregnancy; genetics plays a role in some cases; lack of access to routine medical care in early childhood years before symptoms become more pronounced​​ from the age of twelve​.

Seek Support

Reaching out to other people who also have family members affected by a developmental disability can provide you with valuable support in dealing with your own situation. A child psychologist or a developmental-behavioural paediatrician is dedicated to assisting and advising those taking care of individuals with various developmental disabilities, including national organisations and online forums.

Developmental disabilities make it difficult for people to do everyday activities and gain the skills to reach their full potential. Developmental disabilities can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual’s abilities and the support they have around them.