What is an IDD?

According to a 2019 estimate by the University of Minnesota approximately 7.39 million people in the United States are living with an intellectual or developmental disability known as IDD.

Typically present at birth or starting in childhood, IDDs adversely impact a person in one or more of the following ways:

- - - - physical development
        
        neurological development
        
        emotional development

As IDDs often onset during childhood, a child’s development of the skills and abilities needed to navigate school, friendships, and social activities can often be affected.

There are two categories of IDDs – intellectual and developmental.

Intellectual disabilities include challenges with cognitive functioning or intelligence which can affect abilities in learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and cause deficits in social and life skills.

Developmental disabilities are defined more broadly as they include both intellectual and physical disabilities. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines developmental disabilities as “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.”

IDDs can affect and relate to several systems in the human body. For instance, brain or spinal cord (nervous system) impairments may negatively affect speech and language, cognitive function, and can cause movement difficulties or seizures. Or, sensory system issues, whereby the brain may struggle to process sensory information, may lead to challenges with vision, hearing, taste, touch or smell.

Examples of IDDs

Here are some examples of disorders that would be considered an IDD:

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) – Those with ASD experience problems with social interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviors. According to the CDC, ASD typically onsets before age 3 and can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) –Cerebral palsy refers to disorders impacting movement, balance, and posture. Abnormal brain development or injury impairs the ability of a person with CP to control their muscles.
Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome occurs when a baby is born with an additional copy of chromosome 21, which in turn, affects the development of their body and brain, causing mental and physical challenges.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) – Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause physical problems and difficulties with behavior, thinking and learning memory, and daily living. FASDs include several disorders including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND), and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) that vary in severity.
Fragile X Syndrome – Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that causes changes in a protein essential to brain development, resulting in intellectual disability. Symptoms tend to be more severe in boys than in girls.

Types of Support Available

If you or your family needs support for a loved one with an IDD, there are several services are available including:

State IDD agencies offer publicly funded services and resources. (Here is a link to the State of Connecticut’s Department of Developmental Services.)
Children with IDDs with limited income and resources can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI benefits are available for children with IDDs that are seriously limiting and that last or are expected to last for at least a year.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes appropriate public education available to children with disabilities. Under the law, children are entitled to an individualized education plan (IEP). Parents can work with teachers, administrators, and their children to create an IEP that addresses classroom needs.

In addition to these services, if you need of help making a legal and financial plan to ensure that your loved one with an IDD will be able to live their best life, our special needs planning attorneys can help. Contact us today.

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