In the first installment of our series Understanding IDD, we introduced the term IDD, which stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This month, as we recognize Disability Pride Month, we are continuing the conversation by looking at an important question: What is the difference between an intellectual disability and a developmental disability?
Disability Pride Month is observed each July and is connected to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. It is a time to recognize the dignity, rights, experiences, and contributions of people with disabilities. It is also a good reminder that disability is not something to hide, dismiss, or reduce to a label.
For families, caregivers, support professionals, and communities, Disability Pride Month gives us an opportunity to learn, listen, and challenge assumptions. One of the most important assumptions to challenge is the idea that disability looks one way. It does not. Even within IDD, people have different diagnoses, different strengths, different communication styles, different support needs, and different goals.
The terms intellectual disability and developmental disability are often used together, and sometimes they overlap. However, they do not always mean the exact same thing. Understanding the difference helps us provide support that is more respectful, accurate, and person-centered.
An intellectual disability mainly affects how a person learns, understands information, solves problems, makes decisions, and uses everyday life skills. A person with an intellectual disability may learn more slowly or need information explained in a different way. They may benefit from repetition, visual reminders, step-by-step guidance, extra time, or hands-on support.
This does not mean the person cannot learn. It means the support may need to be patient, practical, and matched to the way that person learns best. Someone with an intellectual disability may need support with learning new information, following multi-step directions, understanding money or time, making safe choices, communicating needs, managing routines, practicing self-care skills, or solving everyday problems.
A developmental disability is a broader term. It may affect a person’s physical development, communication, movement, behavior, learning, or ability to live independently. Some developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, but others do not.
For example, a person with cerebral palsy may need support with movement, mobility, or physical care, but may understand information clearly. A person with autism may need support with communication, routines, sensory needs, or social situations, but may not have an intellectual disability.
This is why it is important not to make quick assumptions based on a diagnosis. Two people may have the same diagnosis and still have very different needs, strengths, personalities, and goals.
One simple way to explain the relationship is this: all intellectual disabilities are developmental disabilities, but not all developmental disabilities are intellectual disabilities.
That distinction matters because Disability Pride Month is not only about awareness. It is also about honoring people as individuals. A diagnosis may help open the door to services and support, but it should never become the only thing we see.
One person may need help with personal care. Another may need support preparing for work. Someone else may need help communicating frustration, managing appointments, practicing social skills, or participating in community activities. One person may communicate with spoken words, while another may use gestures, pictures, devices, facial expressions, or behavior.
Person-centered care means looking beyond the diagnosis and paying attention to the person in front of us. How does this person communicate? What do they understand well? Where do they need support? What helps them feel calm and safe? What choices can they make? What skills are they ready to practice? What brings them joy?
Good support does not take over a person’s life. It helps the person participate in their own life as much as possible. That may mean giving someone extra time to answer instead of speaking for them. It may mean offering choices instead of making every decision for them. It may mean helping someone practice the same skill many times with patience and encouragement.
A staff member helping someone prepare breakfast is not only helping with a meal. That moment may also support routine, confidence, independence, and choice. A caregiver helping someone attend a community activity is not only providing transportation. That support may help the person experience connection, belonging, and joy.
As we recognize Disability Pride Month, we are reminded that people with disabilities are not a diagnosis, a stereotype, or a list of limitations. They are individuals with preferences, personalities, relationships, goals, and dignity.
When we better understand the differences within IDD, we become better supporters. We stop relying on assumptions and begin paying closer attention to each person’s actual needs, strengths, and hopes for their life.
Disability Pride Month reminds us that people with disabilities are not a diagnosis or a stereotype. Intellectual and developmental disabilities can overlap, but each person’s strengths, needs, and goals are unique.
At Casmir Care Services, we honor Disability Pride Month by continuing our commitment to person-centered support, care that recognizes each individual’s dignity, choices, strengths, and right to belong.
