What type of disorder is IDD?

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is a broad term for conditions that primarily affect a person’s cognitive functioning and adaptive skills. The term includes both intellectual disabilities and certain developmental disabilities that impact daily functioning.

IDD can impact how a person learns, solves problems, communicates, and manages everyday tasks such as self-care, schoolwork, or social interactions.

IDD usually involves significant limitations in intellectual functioning (such as reasoning and problem-solving) and developmental milestones that appear early in life, typically before age 18. It’s considered a neurodevelopmental condition, and individuals with IDD are neurodivergent — their brains process information and think differently from what is considered typical.

Common examples of IDD include Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and some forms of autism spectrum disorder that significantly affect learning and daily living skills. when they substantially affect learning and independent daily living skills.

Early support, therapy, and education can make a substantial difference in helping individuals with IDD thrive in school, work, and community life.