6.1.2: How Does Having a Developmental Disability Affect Normal Development?

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Page ID: 67600

Erin O'Hara-Leslie, Amdra C. Wade, Kimberly B. McLain, SUNY Broome

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Having a developmental disability can affect normal development in a variety of ways. It all depends on the type of developmental disability the person has.

Self-Care & Movement

The person may have trouble performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently. They may be unable to perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, or feeding themselves. If the developmental disability impacts their physical functioning, the person may have trouble using their muscles. They may for example, be unable to control their muscle movements. This may affect their ability to perform ADLs, to walk, and to get from one place to another.

Communication & Social Situations

‘The person with a developmental disability may have trouble communicating with others. They may have difficulties with speaking, understanding the speech of others, writing, or reading. The person may have trouble in social situations. In addition to communication problems, they may have difficulties understanding social situations. They may have trouble understanding social cues and things such as nonverbal communication. This can be a source of great frustration for the person with a developmental disability. Having difficulties communicating with others can impact their ability to make friends and have the social support they need. This may also impact their ability to perform in school, work, and in social settings.

Financial Independence & Self-Direction

The difficulty or inability to perform in a setting such as a work setting can affect a person’s ability to provide for themselves and support themselves financially. This impacts the person’s ability to live independently. They may need to rely on others to care for them for their entire lives. If a person needs to depend on others to care for them, they may feel an inability to make choices for themselves and to control the direction of their own lives.

Coping

The person’s ability to cope with stressors may also be impacted. If a person has difficulties physically performing tasks, moving, communicating with others, being understood, supporting themselves physically and financially, they may have many different emotions. They may feel angry, frustrated, resentful, depressed, hopeless, guilty, and even embarrassed. They may also have a hard time letting others know their needs, wants, and feelings.

Families with a person with a developmental disability may also have a difficult time coping. They too may feel angry, frustrated, resentful, depressed, hopeless, guilty, and even embarrassed. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides can help provide the emotional support the patient and family needs in addition to providing assistance with physical tasks such as feeding and dressing.