Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

By Adilene Guzman
Community Outreach Coordinator
HAPPI Health

Adults and children with developmental disabilities are not a part of a small group. In the United States, over 6 million people have some type of developmental disability, with one in six children having more than one developmental issue. These disabilities are impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas. Autism, Cerebral palsy, ADHD, learning or intellectual disabilities, hearing loss, and vision impairment, among other developmental delays, are all considered developmental delays. People with developmental disabilities are born with them, and they can impact their everyday functioning.

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is all about inclusion and education. Awareness of the causes and symptoms is critical to understanding developmental disabilities. Keeping up to date with well-child visits can help determine if your child is reaching all developmental milestones. Developmental milestones are skills and behaviors typically achieved by specific ages, such as crawling, walking, or talking. If a child is not meeting these milestones, it may indicate that they have a developmental delay or disability. However, it is essential to note that every child develops at their own pace, and not meeting a milestone at a certain age does not necessarily mean that there is a problem. If you are concerned about your child’s development, it is best to speak with a healthcare provider.

Other factors may hinder the growth of a child. Postnatal factors like premature birth, birth complications, and low birth weight can cause health issues that affect brain development. Infections and illnesses, for example, meningitis, trauma head injuries, malnutrition in early childhood, and environmental factors like unsafe living conditions also can play a role. We know that brain loss or lack of oxygen can permanently damage it, especially during birth or early childhood. Neurological disorders and exposure to toxic substances are also factors. Yet, with all these factors, sometimes the reasons for a developmental disability can remain unknown.

Although they may face one or several disabilities, there is always hope. Patients can improve their quality of life with the right treatments, such as early intervention, supportive therapies, and individualized education plans. Proper care and treatment can help individuals with disabilities lead fulfilling and successful lives. Physical, speech, and occupational therapy are just a few examples of how we can help those with disabilities achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Support, care, and understanding for individuals with disabilities are crucial.

This month is also about educating healthcare providers on treating patients with developmental disabilities in a compassionate and individualized manner—direct communication and involving the patient in decision-making. Healthcare providers should know these patients’ barriers or hardships and acknowledge gaps and health disparities. Comprehensive care can provide access to a full range of services, so finding a healthcare provider that understands the patient alongside the family can make all the difference in the world. We have come a long way in improving these barriers, but there is still so much more to be done.

To sum up, although we classify these challenges as disabilities, individuals with developmental disabilities are just as capable of achieving their goals, ambitions, and aspirations as anyone else. Let us all be a source of encouragement for those with developmental disabilities and remind them of their potential.