Developmental disability is a varied group of chronic conditions due to mental or physical impairments. Such individuals experience many difficulties in areas such as language, learning, independent living, mobility etc. It can be detected in early stages and persists throughout an individual’s lifetime. The main reasons for developmental disabilities are genetic or chromosome abnormalities, prenatal exposure to substances, vital infections during pregnancy, and preterm birth. More often, these are not curable but treatment can help symptoms. Treatments like special education classes, counselling, physical, speech and occupational therapy are helpful.

In a large number of cases, the causes of developmental disabilities are unknown. Genetic factors have important role in causing them. The following are some of the common reasons identified:
1) Hearing loss in babies due to infections during pregnancy, complications after delivery and head trauma
2) Intellectual disabilities like fetal alcohol syndrome, chromosomal or genetic conditions and infections during pregnancy
3) Premature birth, low birth weight and multiple birth
4) Newborn jaundice when untreated creates high levels of bilirubin in blood. It can lead to cerebral palsy, vision and hearing issues and problems with their teeth.

Developmental disabilities can occur in all ethnic, socio-economic and racial groups. Disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision disabilities, learning disability and other developmental delays are found in children regardless of their biological differences. Having a disability does not imply that the person is unhealthy or helpless. They can have an active life; what they need is some tools to make choices and prevent future complications. Some health conditions like asthma, skin allergies and gastrointestinal symptoms are found to be common among kids with developmental disabilities. Therefore, it is very important for those children to consult a health care provider on a regular basis.

There are physical and mental strategies to address the needs of such children:
Physical development:
1) Planning physical activities when the child has most energy with simple and funny courses that the child is capable of completing
2) Activities for children to learn about household things
3) Using songs or finger plays using materials like drawing paper, color pencils to develop fine motor skills
4) Include singing and dancing into activities
5) Place objects in the child’s hand to feel and hold it
6) Outdoor activities like running, climbing and jumping around
7) Educate parents with information about medical, health and dental resources etc.

Cognitive Development
1) The child’s preferences and interests are very important while making lessons. It allows the child to involve more into activities
2) Demonstrations rather than giving instructions verbally help the child to repeat/follow it
3) Set a routine so that the child can assume what is to expect
4) Repetition of instructions
5) Using short and clear sentences
6) Provide adequate time for the child to think and answer
7) Providing visual things like photos, icons etc. for activities, to help the child understand
Apart from planned strategies, there are social and family circumstances that help a child to understand and think independently. A feeling that ‘I am not alone’ is the crux of all those support we ought to give to someone with developmental disability.