What is a Developmental Disability?

It is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him self or her self and social skills.  These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child.  Children with these disabilities may take longer to learn to speak, walk and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating.  They are likely to have trouble learning in school.  They will learn, but it will take them longer.

 

It is not a disease.

 

You can’t catch a developmental disability from anyone.   It is also not a type of mental illness, like depression.  There is not cure.  However, most children with developmental disabilities can learn to do many things.  It just takes them more time and effort than other typical children.