Examples of developmental disabilities include:

Mental Retardation – refers to noticeable limitations in functioning related to below average intelligence.  It can be caused by injury, disease, genetic factors or environmental factors.  People with mental retardation learn more slowly than other people and may need assistance self-care, work and functional academics.

Autism – is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life.  Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.  Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Steps can be taken to prevent and/or to reduce the risk of some developmental disabilities.  Abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy, taking the B vitamin during pregnancy, wearing helmets during certain activities and not shaking babies are all ways of preventing or reducing the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, neural tube defects, head injuries and Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Due to improved public health practices in the twentieth century, there has been a dramatic increase in the average life span of Americans and other people throughout the world.