This document provides an overview of developmental disabilities and defines key terms. It describes developmental disabilities as severe chronic conditions appearing before age 22 that cause substantial limitations in major life activities. The causes can be genetic, prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal factors. Common developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, autism, and epilepsy. People with developmental disabilities may require lifelong support across multiple domains.

1. Overview of Developmental Disabilities TPS Core Competency Training

2. Definition Developmental Disability means a severe, chronic disability caused by mental or physical impairment (or combination) appearing before age 22. The disability is likely to continue indefinitely and causes “substantial functional limitation” in at least 3 of the following life activities:

3. Definition Self-care Receptive and expressive language Independent Living Learning Mobility Self-direction Economic self-sufficiency

4. Definition People with a developmental disability, as defined by N.C., “need a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services” that last a long time (or a lifetime) and are planned just for the person.

5. Definition In addition, the state of N.C. includes persons with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) if the resulting disability is significant enough. In other words, if someone older than 21 has a head injury resulting in disabilities substantial enough to qualify , that person is eligible to receive services from the DD service system.

6. Types of developmental disabilities Mental Retardation Cerebral Palsy Genetic syndromes (like Downs) Autism Epilepsy Rhett’s disorder

7. Causes Causes of developmental disabilities can be grouped into three categories, as happening: Before Birth During Birth or, After Birth

8. Causes - Before Birth Illness General health of the mother Maternal smoking, drinking, or drug use Genetics Toxic chemicals Individual chromosome problems

9. Causes - During Birth Lack of oxygen Low birth weight Premature birth Difficult deliveries

10. Causes - After Birth Accidents Lead, or other, chemical poisoning Poor nutrition

11. Causes - continued Sometimes the cause of a developmental disability is not known. Developmental disabilities can happen in any family. No one exactly fits any one type of disability, and some people fit into more than one.

12. People with Mental Retardation learn more slowly have difficulty remembering what’s been learned have difficulty taking what’s been learned in one place to new or different settings think in more concrete ways continue to learn/develop all through life

13. Levels of Mental Retardation Mild Moderate Severe Profound Different levels mean different types of assistance needed MR is not mental illness But some people do have MR and MI

14. Cerebral Palsy Injury to the part of the brain that controls physical movement Can happen before, during, or after birth Is not a disease Often results in awkward movements, poor balance, and/or unusual walk and speech

15. Autism The causes of autism are not understood, some studies show it may be genetic. People with autism have a hard time making friends, communicating, and accepting changes. Some people with autism also have mental retardation and/or mental illness.

16. Epilepsy Occurs when there is a change in how the electrical system in the brain works. These changes are called seizures. Any brain irritation can cause a seizure, but for most people who have had a seizure (2/3), only one will occur throughout life. Recurring seizures define the condition called epilepsy.

17. Epilepsy Some people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, or autism may also have epilepsy. Seizures have many forms - altered consciousness, confusion, sensations of smell, taste, or vision. Convulsions can be scary, caused by strong jerking/spasms of muscles.

18. Remember... We are hired to assist people to be - Independent ... to choose and do what they wish, with whomever, wherever they wish. Productive ...as a worker, citizen, partner. Included ...in work, social, political, religious and family networks. Integrated ...into the regular fabric of life. -no matter the type or extent of disability.

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