UK Disability Connect

What is a Developmental Disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that limits major life functions including language, mobility, learning, self-help, employment, and independent living. Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years of age and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.  Developmental disabilities vary widely and can include:

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Behavioral Disorders

Brain Injury

Cerebral Palsy

Down syndrome

Hearing Impairment

Learning Disability

Mental Illness

Mental Retardation

Physical Disability

Speech Delay

Vision Impairment

Typical Developmental Milestones:  

Do you know all the ways you should measure your child’s growth? We naturally think of height and weight, but from birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. 

Click here (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/default.htm) for an interactive milestones checklist and more helpful information.

Early Intervention:

If you have concerns about your child’s development, there are services available to help you determine if your child has a delay due to a developmental disability.  The good news is, the earlier that a delay is recognized, the more you can do to help your child reach his/her full potential.  Click here (http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/kydrm/Resources/first_steps.htm) to learn about the First Steps Program for early intervention in Kentucky.

Resources:

Learning that your child may have a developmental disability can seem overwhelming; it is good to know that there are programs and services available to you and your family that can help.  Click here (http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/kydrm/resources.htm) to learn more.

Accessibility:

Often, the most immediate issue facing an individual with disabilities is accessibility. Whether the obstacle is physical, such as the structure of a building, or social in nature, there are organizations that can assist families in dealing with accessibility issues.  Click here (http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/kydrm/Accessibility/accessibility.htm) to learn more.

Advocacy:

Need help dealing with an issue of discrimination?  Want to find counseling services for a person with disabilities?  Have a question about special education services through your child’s school?  Want to locate a support network?  Want to learn more about laws relating to disabilities? Check out (http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/kydrm/advocacy.htm) for answers to these questions and more!