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!
