March is an important month; not only is it the start of spring and St. Patrick’s day, the month as a whole has a significant meaning. March is known as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month of DDAM for short. DDAM gives us a chance to shine a light on those with Developmental Disabilities, to show others that people with developmental disabilities are just the same as neurotypical people; they're people with dreams, lives, hopes, and aspirations.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month can bring awareness to the challenges that those with developmental disabilities face when it comes to interacting within their communities.

Developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays affect more than 6 million Americans every day. This month focuses on those with developmental disabilities to give them a chance to shine in a world that is often not set-up for them in an inclusive manner.

What are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are conditions a person is born with. They are sometimes not immediately apparent and often go undiagnosed. Developmental disabilities can coexist with other conditions that can also go undiagnosed, even if the primary developmental disability has been discovered and acknowledged.

It's hard to make generalizations about what life is like for someone with a disability because everyone is different. There is also no one treatment that works for all people with developmental disabilities and there is no one way that a specific developmental disability affects one person to the next.

Why Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is Important

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NDDAM) is an annual observance for people with developmental disabilities and their families. This month is one of the few times where people with developmental disabilities and neurotypical folks are given opportunities to connect. For many, this month is a time to learn about what it’s like to live with a disability, make new friends, and for those with developmental disabilities, awareness and acceptance can help build self-esteem.

Ways Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month promotes self-advocacy:

• Provides awareness about developmental disabilities.
• Educates the public about how people with developmental disabilities are treated and how they want to be treated.
• Can assist people with disabilities in finding employment and education.

One major reason inclusion is important

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that there are some 60 million Americans with a disability, whether that be intellectual, developmental, physical or a combination. For many with disabilities, employment is difficult at best. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is about 12 percent nationwide, twice that of the population as a whole, and less than half of them work full time. Not having a sense of purpose through work can really knock a person's self esteem. It also cuts people off from making new friends and building a larger support network.

Examples of how you can help

There are many ways to show your support for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. You can use social media to spread the word about the month-long event. You might also want to donate money or even volunteer at a local organization.