Disability Facts and Statistics

What is a developmental disability?

A developmental disability is a serious condition caused by mental and/or physical impairments that will last throughout a person's lifetime. Though generally present at birth, developmental disabilities can begin to become evident anytime before the age of 22. Developmental disabilities affect social and cognitive areas, such as language, communication, learning and interpretation of social cues.

According to the Administration of Developmental Disabilities, there are approximately 4.5 million people with developmental disabilities in the United States - equivalent to about 1.5 percent of the population.

Statistics - Incidence and Prevalence of Some Common Developmental Disabilities

• According to the Autism Society of America, as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism.

• 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism, with 67 children diagnosed per day. That is equivalent to a new diagnosis almost every 20 minutes (Autism Speaks, Inc.).

• According to the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation, between 1.5 and 2 million people have cerebral palsy in the U.S. There are an estimated 10,000 new cases each year.

• About 3 in 10 children with cerebral palsy have severe learning disabilities; 1 in 3 children cannot walk; 1 in 4 cannot feed or dress themselves (United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation).

• The National Down Syndrome Society estimates that Down Syndrome occurs in one out every 733 live births – approximately 5,000 births per year.

• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition, currently affecting more than 350,000 people in the U.S. (National Down Syndrome Society).

• An estimated 2.5 million people in the United States have an intellectual disability - approximately 1 percent of the population (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

• There are no cures for any of these developmental disabilities.