Developmental Disability

Information To Help Your Child

Over 6 million individuals in the United States have a developmental disability. The definition, according to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is defined as:

"a severe, chronic disability which originated at birth or during childhood, is expected to continue indefinitely, and substantially restricts the individuals functioning in several major life activities."

More specifically, it is a severe, chronic impairment which:

1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments
2. is manifested before the person attains age 22
3. results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

• self-care
• receptive and expressive language
• learning
• mobility
• self-direction
• capacity for independent living
• economic self-sufficiency

Examples of Developmental Disabilities

Examples include:

• Autism
• Brain injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Learning disabled
• Mental retardation
• Speech delayed

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Aspergers

10 Things Autism your child would tell you if they could.

FASD - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Autism

Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Sensory Integration

Sensory Definition of Terms

Here is a great site on Autism from my friend, Valerie. She takes a practical, natural approach to living with Autism in a Christian home. For information you can use, check out: Autism in the Christian Home

I found this great site on baby development! How do you know what is normal and what is delayed? Find out here: All About Baby Development. It's a great resource for information about baby development, educational toys and activities, and other baby, infant, and toddler health issues.All About Baby Development.com

Dana has put together an excellent website on the developmental disabilities that centers around applying autism behavior strategies. Find out what is ABA and how you can use these techniques to help your child. Autism Behavior Strategies.com

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