velopmental Disabilities Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan made proclamation 5613 designating March based on Public Law 99-483. Click here to read the proclamation. To read Public Law 99-483, click here.
According to Reagan's proclamation, "New opportunities have been created through the efforts of those with developmental disabilities and their family members, along with professionals and officials at all levels of government. Working together, they have brought about significant changes in the public perception of young people and adults with developmental disabilities, opening new doors to independent and productive lives."
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions that cause impairment during a child's developmental period and include physical, behavioral, social, and communicative impairments. Autism, Down's Syndrome, and other intellectual disabilities are considered developmental disabilities. This includes autism.
Autism was the product of Eugen Bleuler in 1910 and Hans Asperger in 1940. Until 2013 there were three types of autism: autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. In 2013, these three became autism spectrum disorder.
What are some things we could do for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month? The same thing could be done for the following month, April. April is Autism Awareness Month. Click here for some ideas. Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!