What are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental Disabilities is the term used to describe a number of conditions whereby the individual is significantly behind other people in terms of their intellectual, social and life skills development.  There are many other names for Developmental Disabilities, some of which can include global developmental delay, cognitive disability, developmental delay, “special”, intellectual delay, intellectual disability, mental handicap, mental deficiency and the term with the most negative connotation, mental retardation.  All of these terms mean the same thing and they have been or continue to be used by various groups and organizations.  The reason there are so many names for the same issue is that each term that has been used in the past, has developed a negative connotation and in an attempt to avoid the negativity associated with the name, another term has been put into use.  Currently in Ontario, the term put down in legislation is Developmental Disability.

The formal definition of Developmental Disability is significantly subaverage intellectual functioning that is accompanied by significant limitations in adaptive functioning, before the age of 18.  In short, on formal, standardized measures of both intelligence and adaptive skills, the individual’s abilities are below 98% of the population.  While physicians are able to identify many children with Developmental Disabilities, there are an equal number that are “missed” because physicians are not trained to administer standardized intelligence tests, which is the domain of registered psychologists.  This second group of children may not be identified until they reach the school system.  Only when teachers begin to point out that a child is not reading and is markedly behind other children, in spite of the extra help that is being provided, do some parents become aware that there is a problem.  Needless to say, finding out that their child has a developmental disability is particularly challenging event for parents, especially after the child has entered the regular school system.  It generally takes months and in some cases years, for parents to fully accept that their child is different from other children and that they have special needs.

There are many subtypes of developmental disabilities and the one of the most commonly known forms is Downs Syndrome.  There are also several levels of Developmental Disabilities; mild, moderate, severe and profound.  Individuals with mild or moderate developmental delays are able to learn some of the things that a child without this condition can.  For example, a person with a mild Developmental Disability may achieve a grade six reading level.  Whatever the type and level of developmental disability, they all share certain features in common.  First, the child does not progress as rapidly as other children.  For example, in grade three while other children are reading and understanding what they read, the child with a developmental disability either does not read at all or does not understand what they have read.  In terms of life skills, these children may not know what to do to get dressed on a rainy day, unless they are told specifically what to wear.  Socially, their play is immature and they will have very few or no friends.  The following point is very important, these children do grow and learn, but they do so at a significantly slower rate than other children their age. 

These individuals also reach a ceiling point, in terms of the complexity of what they can learn.  For example, a person with Downs Syndrome will never be able to handle the academic demands of a university, because of the high level of abstraction that is required.  On the other hand they may be capable of being functional and independent on a daily basis.  This requires training and teaching of specific life skills so independence or supported living may be attainable.  Supported living usually involves support provided by an agency to address the specific training and learning needs of the individual, so they can be as independent as possible.  Such programmes are generally quite successful and are provided by agencies such as Community Living of Ontario or the various branches of Community Living.

If your child has been identified with a developmental disability contact your local Community Living branch to determine services available and be aware that you, as the parent, may find it helpful to speak with other parents in similar circumstances.  Lastly, as your child reaches the age of adulthood, an updated assessment may be required to access income tax and other benefits.

Estes Moustacalis, Ph.D. C.Psych (Dr. “M”)

info@oakvillepsychologist.com

www.oakvillepsychologist.com

905 617-8308