What are Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities (IDDs)?
Intellectual / developmental disabilities are differences — often present from birth — that affect learning, reasoning, daily living skills, and/or physical development. An intellectual disability begins before age 18 and involves both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior; “developmental disabilities” is a broader term that may be intellectual, physical, or both.
Definition adapted from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Non‑Crisis / Access (Screening)
OCHN will determine where your needs can best be met and help connect you to services. Call (248) 464-6363 to get started.
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Resource & Crisis Center: 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Building 32E, Pontiac, MI 48341
Common Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Examples of conditions supported through OCHN include:
Autism
- Autism is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.
- The diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all behaviors and their severity.
- Each child or adult with autism is unique, so their treatment and supports plans are also unique to fit the needs of the individual as best as possible.
Cognitive Impairment
- Cognitive impairment occurs when an individual has trouble remembering, concentrating, learning, or making decisions to the point where it affects their everyday life.
- It can range from mild to severe. Individuals may notice changes in cognitive functions in mild impairment but are still able to do everyday activities
- Severe impairment is characterized by the inability to talk, write, or understand the meaning or importance of something.
Down Syndrome
- Down Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 resulting in developmental, intellectual, and physical changes.
- It is the most common genetic disorder in children but varies in severity for individuals of all ages.
- Early intervention can greatly increase quality of life for children and adults living with this disorder.
Epilepsy
- Epilepsy is a condition of the nervous system that affects 2.5 million Americans.
- More than 180,000 people are diagnosed with Epilepsy every year.
- Seizures are a common symptom of Epilepsy and may vary from person to person.
- Some people have a simple staring spell, while others experience shaking.
Muscular Dystrophy
- Muscular dystrophies include varying muscle diseases that decrease muscle strength to cause mobility complications.
- The different kinds of muscular dystrophies affect specific muscle groups.
- Individuals may face different symptoms, even if they have the same type of muscular dystrophy.
Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebral palsy is one of the most common congenital childhood disorders.
- About 500,000 children and adults of all ages in the United States have the condition.
- Cerebral palsy affects muscle control and coordination, so even simple movements are difficult.
- Other vital functions that also involve motor skills and muscles such as breathing, bladder, and bowel control, eating, and learning may also be impacted.
Sensory Integration Disorder
- Sensory integration disorder or dysfunction is a neurological disorder that results from the brain’s inability to join together certain information received from the body’s five basic sensory systems.
- These sensory systems are responsible for detecting sights, sounds, smells, tastes, temperatures, pain, and the position and movements of the body.
- Research indicates that up to 70% of children who are considered learning disabled by schools have sensory integrative disorders.
Physical Impairment
- Physical impairment affects an individual’s physical mobility or functioning.
- Approximately 75 million people in the United States have a type of physical disability. Independent movement is often limited and difficult to accomplish with everyday tasks.
Family Support & Subsidy (FSS) Program
The Family Support Subsidy (FSS) is a community-based, family-centered support service that makes it possible for children with developmental disabilities to remain with and return to their birth or adoptive families. The subsidy provides a monthly payment ($300.36) that the family must spend on special needs that occur as a result of caring for a child with a severe disability at home.
