Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are disorders present at birth that affect a child’s physical, intellectual, or emotional development, leading to challenges with skills like learning, communication, and self-care. Common signs include delays in motor skills, speech, and problem-solving, as well as difficulties with social cues and remembering things. Causes can include genetic conditions (like Down syndrome), prenatal infections or substance exposure, birth complications, and other factors, though a specific cause is not always identified.
What they are
Intellectual disabilities are characterized by limitations in both intellectual function (reasoning, problem-solving) and adaptive behavior (everyday social and life skills) that begin before age 18.
Developmental disabilities is a broader category that includes intellectual disabilities and can also involve physical, sensory, or other impairments, often present from birth or early childhood.
The term “IDD” is often used to describe situations where a child has both an intellectual and other developmental disability.
Common signs in children
Delays in reaching milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking.
Difficulty learning to talk, or trouble with speech and language.
Problems with memory and problem-solving.
Difficulty understanding social rules or the consequences of actions.
Challenges with self-help skills like getting dressed or feeding oneself.
Behavioral and social problems.
Potential causes
Genetic factors: Conditions like Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other genetic mutations
Complications during pregnancy: Infections (like rubella), exposure to alcohol, or issues with the baby’s cell division
Problems during birth: Such as a lack of oxygen during delivery
Illnesses: Diseases like meningitis, measles, or whooping cough, or exposure to toxins like lead or mercury
Traumatic brain injury: Can sometimes lead to an IDD if it occurs in early childhood