What is a developmental disability and IDD?

‍Developmental disabilities are a broad group of conditions that start before age 22 and can affect a person’s physical abilities, learning, or behavior. 

Examples of developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, blindness, hearing loss, and autism spectrum disorder.

An intellectual disability is a type of developmental disability that primarily affects a person’s ability to learn, think, and solve problems. These challenges usually appear before age 18 and may include below-average intellectual functioning (often measured by IQ), along with difficulties in daily life skills like communication, social interaction, self-care, and managing everyday tasks.

Examples of intellectual disabilities include Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and certain forms of autism that make learning and daily living more challenging.

The term Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is often used to describe the full range of conditions that affect thinking, learning, and daily life skills.

Developmental and intellectual disabilities often overlap. Some developmental disabilities also include intellectual disabilities, which means a child may face challenges in both learning and everyday activities.

At Hamaspik, we support individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities by providing services that foster growth, build skills and independence, and help them lead fulfilling, thriving lives.