There are many things that might be running through your head when you are dealing with a loved one who is suffering from development disabilities in New Bedford, MA. You might be curious what exactly a development disability is, what causes it, the different types, and the epidemiology of the disability. The following is more information that you should know about development disabilities.
What it is?
Development disabilities in New Bedford, MA are conditions which involve mental or physical impairments. In addition, the condition needs to develop prior to the age of 22, and continues through the whole lifetime of the individual who is suffering from the disability. Many people who suffer from the developmental disabilities will also suffer from having issues with more than one part of their mental or physical functioning.
Causes
Development disabilities in New Bedford, MA can be caused by a wide variety of factors. Sometimes the factors will occur before the person is born and other times the cause will not occur until a little later on in their lives. It is important to note that the person must be under the age of 22 in order for the disability to be considered a developmental disability. Some of the things that can cause a developmental disability includes diseases, malnutrition, genes, and toxin exposure.
Types
In addition to having a wide variety of things that can cause the development disability in New Bedford, MA, there are also several different types that can show up. Some of these different types include degenerative, metabolic, sensory, and neurological disabilities. In terms of having a neurological disability the person might suffer from mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and autism. For the sensory disability there is the possibility of deafness and blindness.
Epidemiology
The CDC has done a study to determine what percentage of children within the United States suffer from a form of developmental disability. It is estimated that the number is around 13 percent, although there may be some cases that have not been reported which means the number might be much higher. If you feel like you have a loved one who is suffering from a developmental disability and would like assistance with their care and development, there are many facilities and resources available to you to use.
Better Community Living, Inc. provides person-centered services to adults and children with autism and developmental disabilities as they strive for greater independence in New Bedford, MA. Visit website to know more.
