Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

A developmental disability:

• Is chronic
• Begins at birth or during childhood
• Adversely affects an individual's daily living and functioning

Developmental disabilities can be caused by a mental impairment, a physical impairment or combination of both mental and physical. This can result in limited functions, including:

• Caring for oneself
• Difficulties with communication
• Difficulties with learning
• Difficulties with mobility or moving around
• Difficulties making decisions for oneself
• Difficulties living independently
• Being financially self-sufficient

If you have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, you can benefit from comprehensive, long-term services and live a more independent life.

Developmental Therapy Services

Developmental Therapy Services include individually designed instruction, training or functional developmental intervention activities based on your needs.

• For children we focus on strengthening skills in the major developmental domains. This may include training and activities in areas such as self-help, language and cognitive development, and psychosocial skills.
• For adults our services include training in activities to strengthen appropriate developmental functioning in areas of self care, mobility, socialization, independent living, self-advocacy and rights.

Resources

American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Association of Self-Advocates of North Carolina
Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities
North Carolina Office on Disability & Health

State Developmental Centers

Caswell Developmental Center
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
Murdoch Developmental Center