Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.

Developmental disabilities begin anytime during the developmental period and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Most developmental disabilities begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth because of injury, infection, or other factors.

The following are some examples of what we know about specific developmental disabilities:

  • At least 25% of hearing loss among babies is due to maternal infections during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection; complications after birth; and head trauma.
  • Some of the most common known causes of intellectual disability include fetal alcohol syndrome disorder; genetic and chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome
  • Children who have a sibling with autism spectrum disorder are at a higher risk of also having autism spectrum disorder.
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    Living With a Developmental Disability

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas, and include:

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    Autism spectrum disorders

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    Hearing loss

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    Vision impairment

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    Cerebral palsy

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    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

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    Learning or intellectual disabilities

    Learn more on how you can raise awareness

    We encourage you to support this campaign by using the hashtag #DDawareness22 on social media  experiences through stories, photos and videos.