Developmental Disabilities

What is Mental Retardation?

According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities-AAIDD website.

According to The Arc of the United States : “Mental retardation is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. It is diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.”

People with mental retardation learn, grow and change just like you and me.

Approximately 3% of the U.S. population — more than 7 million people — are believed to have mental retardation. Although the degree of retardation can range from mild to profound, assistance in vocational training, employment and community living can help each person have a productive role in society.

What are Developmental Disabilities?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: “Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years of age and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.”

What is Cerebral Palsy?

According to the United Cerebral Palsy’s website: “Cerebral palsy, also referred to as CP, is a term used to describe a group of chronic
conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupt the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.

"Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness/poor control. Cerebral palsy itself is not progressive (i.e. brain damage does not get worse); however, secondary conditions, such as muscle spasticity, can develop which may get better over time, get worse, or remain the same. Cerebral palsy is not communicable. It is not a disease and should not be referred to as such. Although cerebral palsy is not "curable" in the accepted sense, training and therapy can help improve function.”

What is Down Syndrome?

According to the National Down Syndrome Society: “Down syndrome: Down syndrome occurs in one out of every 733 live births, and more than 350,000 people in the U.S. have this genetic condition. One of the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome affects people of all ages, races and economic levels."

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

According to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of physical and mental birth defects that results when a mother drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks any alcohol, such as beer, wine, or mixed drinks, so does her baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta right into the developing baby. The baby may suffer lifelong damage as a result…"

What is Epilepsy?

According to the Epilepsy Foundation: “Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. A seizure is a change in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain…"

What is Autism?

According to the Autism Society of America: “Autism: Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.”

Other disabilities:

• Blindness & Visual Impairments
• What is a traumatic brain injury?
  • According to the Brain Injury Association of America: “A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from "mild," i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to "severe," i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.”
• What is a Mental Illness?
  • According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness: “Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life…"

Other useful resources and links:

Division of Rehabilitation Services: DORS works with individuals who have disabilities, who are seeking competitive employment (20 paid hours, or more per week). They provide vocational assessments, vocational training and rehabilitation, and job development and placement. DORS has a division that specializes in working with individuals who have blindness and visual impairments.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland: Works with individuals who are blind to help them achieve self-sufficiency, personal growth and true independence. They offer rehabilitation services and vocational training.

Terms:

• WLI- Waiting List Initiative. Primary caregiver must be age 55 or older. Access to funding depends on availability and date of application.
• WLEF- Waiting list Equity Funds Funding for individuals who’s care providers are age 76 and older. Access to funding depends on availability.
• ISS- Individual Support Services. Services for adults that are not to exceed $5000, per fiscal year.
• FSS-Family Support Services. Services for children that are not to exceed $3000, per fiscal year.
• Crisis Resolution: Individual’s current situation must be critical. Individual may be eligible for immediate funding based on funding availability.
• Crisis Prevention: Individual’s name is on DDA’s waiting list. Individual may be eligible for available funds based on date of application.
• Current Request: Individual’s name is on DDA’s waiting list. Individual may be eligible for available funds based on date of application.
• Future Need: Individual’s name is on DDA’s waiting list. However, individual and family are not in dire need, or requesting services at this time.

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