DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
Developmental disability is a general category that includes but is not limited to mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and spina bifida, as well as other neurological impairments.

Mental Retardation is not the same as a Learning Disability
Before going further, we should call attention to the distinction between mental retardation and learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities process information differently than other people with the same level of intelligence. The level of intelligence of a person with a learning disability may not be impacted at all. Some people with learning disabilities are actually considered to be gifted geniuses.
As for mental retardation, low intelligence is a factor; however, individuals with mental retardation can learn a wide variety of useful job skills. Many large companies, such as McDonald’s and Wal-Mart, routinely hire individuals with mental retardation.

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder caused by brain damage, affecting a person’s ability to control movement and posture. People with Cerebral Palsy exhibit muscle weakness (paresis), inability to make voluntary movements and suppress involuntary ones. It can be associated with other problems such as seizures, mental retardation, ear/hearing problems, eye/vision problems, or verbal communication problems. http://www.ucpa.org

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a series of mental and physical birth defects that include mental retardation, growth deficits, central nervous system dysfunction, craniofacial abnormalities and behavioral maladjustments. Fetal Alcohol Effect is a less severe set of the same symptoms. http://www.nofas.org

Fragile X Syndrome is a hereditary condition, which can cause learning problems ranging from subtle learning disabilities and a normal IQ, to severe mental retardation and autism. Individuals with Fragile X syndrome may also have physical and behavioral disorders, and speech and language delay. http://nfxf.org

Spina Bifida is a congenital deformity that begins early in pregnancy. It is characterized by a defective closure in the vertebral column. The most common impairment is partial or total paralysis of affected muscle groups. People with spina bifida may also have bowel and bladder dysfunction. An individual may develop hydrocephalus at birth, which can create learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments. http://www.arch.gatech.edu/crt/Techknow/MedConditions/Spina_Bifida.htm

Tourette syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics. The symptoms of TS generally appear before age 18. TS symptoms range from very mild to quite severe, but most cases are mild. Most people with TS require no medication, but medication is available to help with troublesome symptoms.



MENTAL RETARDATION

Mental Retardation is generally identified during childhood and is characterized by limitations in both intellectual functioning and overall daily living skills. People with mental retardation develop at a below average rate and experience difficulty with learning and social adjustment.

Mental retardation is a very broad category that includes a wide range of skills, abilities and support needs.

Levels:

• Mild - Mildly affected individuals comprise about 85 percent of people with retardation. Although they learn more slowly, people with mild retardation can work and live in the community if assisted when they experience unusual social or economic stress.
  
  
• Moderate - About 10 percent of people with mental retardation are moderately retarded. As adults, most can work at unskilled or semiskilled jobs with supervision.
  
  
• Severe - Severe retardation affects 3 to 4 percent of mentally retarded individuals. In adulthood they can perform simple tasks with close supervision.
  
  
• Profound - About 1 to 2 percent of retarded people have profound mental retardation and require constant care. Profoundly retarded individuals can understand some language, but they have little ability to talk. They often have a neurological condition that accounts for their retardation.

Approximately 95% of individuals with mental retardation are in the mild to moderate range, and are able to perform a wide variety of work-related tasks.

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by extra genetic material (genes) from the 21st chromosome. Individuals with Down Syndrome also have some degree of mental retardation, or cognitive disability and other developmental delays.

There are over 50 clinical signs of Down syndrome, but it is rare to find all or even most of them in one person. Individuals with Down syndrome are usually smaller than their non-disabled peers, and their physical as well as intellectual development is slower.

Besides having a distinct physical appearance, individuals with Down syndrome frequently have specific health-related problems. A lowered resistance to infection makes these individuals more prone to respiratory problems. Visual problems such as crossed eyes and far- or near-sightedness are higher in people with Down syndrome, as are mild to moderate hearing loss and speech difficulty.

Autism is a complex developmental disorder. Symptoms of autism include impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and imagination, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. The most severe cases of autism are marked by extremely repetitive, unusual, self-injurious, and aggressive behavior. The mildest form of autism resembles a personality disorder associated with a perceived learning disability. http://www.autism-society.org