What Is Developmental Disability Awareness Month?

Developmental Disability Awareness Month, observed in March, is dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of developmental disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tourette Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy (CP). These conditions affect individuals differently and can lead to impairments in physical abilities, learning, language, and behavior. The month encourages recognition of the diverse experiences and perspectives of those with developmental disabilities.

What Is Considered a Developmental Disability?

Developmental disabilities are conditions that lead to delays or impairments in areas like physical abilities, learning, language, and behavior. These disabilities are usually present from childhood, though some individuals may acquire a developmental disability later in life due to infection or injury. Additionally, some people might receive a diagnosis later in life because their symptoms were previously overlooked or mistaken for personality traits, such as shyness or quirkiness. While it's less common for developmental disabilities to be acquired later, these conditions can sometimes go unnoticed until adulthood.

What Are Examples of Developmental Disorders?

The following are examples of developmental disorders or disabilities:

• ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder primarily affects a person's ability to focus and pay attention.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication, social interactions, and behavior, with a wide range of presentations and support needs. 
• Cerebral Palsy (CP): A group of disorders affecting movement, balance, and posture, caused by abnormalities in brain development or damage to the developing brain.
• Hearing Loss: Developmental hearing loss refers to hearing impairment occurring during early stages of life, impacting a child's ability to develop normal speech and language skills.
• Fragile X Syndrome: A genetic disorder resulting from a mutation in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, often characterized by intellectual disabilities and differences in physical features.
• Tourette Syndrome: A neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.

Some developmental disorders can also be classified as other types of disabilities. For example, cerebral palsy can be classified as both a developmental disability and a motor or physical disability. Autism and ADHD can be classified as both neurological and developmental disabilities, sometimes referred to as neurodevelopmental disabilities.

What Is the Difference Between Developmental Disability and Intellectual Disability?

Intellectual disabilities are a specific type of developmental disability. Developmental disability is a broad category that includes multiple conditions, one of which is intellectual disability. All individuals with an intellectual disability are considered to have a developmental disability due to challenges they may face in understanding information, making decisions, and performing daily tasks independently.

For instance, someone with an intellectual disability might struggle to understand concepts like time or money and may require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like cooking or cleaning. Individuals with intellectual disabilities may also face challenges in communicating their needs effectively or navigating social situations. While developmental disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions, intellectual disabilities specifically focus on a person’s cognitive abilities and how they impact everyday activities. 

It is possible to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability without having other developmental disabilities like autism or ADHD. Intellectual disability can be a standalone diagnosis within the category of developmental disabilities. However, some individuals may have both an intellectual and developmental disability, often collectively called IDD—intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What Is Learning Disability Awareness Month?

October is Learning Disability (LD) Awareness Month. Learning disabilities can overlap with developmental disabilities, which can make the two hard to distinguish. For example, ADHD is classified as a developmental disability because it affects cognitive and behavioral functions like attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity, rather than specific academic skills. In contrast, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia directly impact specific academic skills—dyslexia affects reading and language processing, dyscalculia involves difficulties with numbers and math concepts, and dysgraphia impacts writing.

It's possible for a person to have both a learning and a developmental disability. For instance, autism, a developmental disability, is often associated with auditory processing disorder (APD), which affects how sound is processed and understood. This can lead to sound sensitivity and challenges in processing verbal information, impacting communication skills. APD is recognized as a specific learning disability because it affects language development and communication.

Understanding the complexity and diversity of disabilities is crucial. Just as there are various forms of physical disabilities—ranging from those who can walk independently to those who rely on mobility aids—developmental disabilities also encompass a wide spectrum of conditions. This diversity means that disabilities can overlap and sometimes be classified in multiple ways. Recognizing this complexity helps us understand the needs of individuals with different types of disabilities, fostering a more inclusive approach to disability awareness.