Developmental disabilities are sometimes very misunderstood, but here’s what you need to know about them in order to be an effective supporter of loved ones with developmental disabilities. First, it’s important to understand the difference between developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. While both impair someone’s ability to function in society, the causes of developmental disabilities are mostly genetic or physical in nature; mental illnesses are caused by psychological factors that may include genetics but aren’t solely genetic. Neurodevelopmental Disorders Many people with...
The disability services community refers to adults with disabilities as invisible because, to the public eye, these individuals may not look like they have disabilities. However, that doesn’t mean these adults aren’t suffering from debilitating conditions that affect their daily lives in significant ways, including mobility issues, learning disorders and mental health concerns. Read on to learn more about this population and how you can help support adults with disabilities in your community or workplace. Try to keep an...