6.5 million people across the United States live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), according to the Special Olympics. These conditions shape how a person learns, communicates, moves, and engages with the world. With the right support and tools, people with IDD can build on their strengths, lead more independent lives, and fully participate in their communities.
This article explores what IDD is, how it appears at different stages of life, and how individuals may experience it over time. Assistive technology like MH is helping people with IDD build skills, gain independence, create routines, and participate more fully and confidently in their communities.
What Is IDD?
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is an umbrella term that includes conditions that begin during the developmental period (before age 22) and cause lifelong challenges in intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, or both. Common diagnoses under the IDD umbrella include:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Fragile X syndrome
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Intellectual disability (formerly referred to as mental retardation)
Each person with IDD is unique, with a wide range of abilities and support needs. Some individuals may experience differences in:
- Communication and social skills
- Learning new concepts
- Daily living activities (like cooking, grooming, and time management)
- Motor coordination or physical health challenges
It is important to recognize that individuals with IDD are capable of learning and contributing in meaningful ways. These conditions are not illnesses or diseases. They are neurological or genetic in origin and are usually present from birth or early childhood.
How Common Are IDDs?
Those 6.5 million individuals in the U.S. that have an intellectual or developmental disability represent 1-3% of the global population.
The prevalence of IDD has grown over the past two decades due in part to better diagnostic tools, broader definitions, and increased awareness, particularly around autism. However, despite growing awareness, access to adequate support and services remains uneven across different age groups and geographic regions.
How IDD Affects Daily Life
Individuals with IDD lead rich and varied lives, shaped by their unique strengths, interests, and experiences. They may encounter obstacles in systems that aren’t designed with neurodiversity in mind. Support may be needed in areas like:
- Education: Learning styles may differ, and students often benefit from individualized instruction and inclusive environments. Many also respond well to supports like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which can promote communication and skill development.
- Employment: Many adults with IDD bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace. However, adults with IDD are less likely to be employed than their neurotypical peers. According to a 2023 report by the National Core Indicators, only about 19% of adults with IDD have a paid job in the community.
- Healthcare Access: Navigating healthcare systems can be challenging without providers who understand IDD or offer accessible communication and care options.
- Independent Living: With the right resources, many people with IDD live independently or semi-independently. Others may thrive with support from families, direct support professionals, or community programs.
Despite these obstacles, NIH research shows that with consistent, person-centered support, individuals with IDD can make progress in independence, self-determination, and quality of life.
The Role of Assistive Technology in Supporting People with IDD
Assistive technology (AT) refers to tools and systems that help people of all abilities live more independently and engage more fully in daily life. For individuals with IDD, assistive tech can mean everything from speech-generating devices to visual schedules and reminder systems.
In recent years, digital solutions like app-based tools have made AT more accessible and personalized than ever.
Our system, MapHabit, falls into that category. We’re an evidence-based platform that uses visual “maps” to break down daily routines into step-by-step visual guides. These guides use images, text, and audio cues to reinforce memory, promote independence, and reduce the burden on caregivers.
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At MapHabit, our partners have seen an average 50% improvement in quality of life and 75% increase in independence for their users. Similarly, research published in Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits reported that individuals with cognitive disabilities, particularly ASD, using tech-based cueing systems experienced significant improvements in daily task completion and confidence.
At MapHabit, we’ve seen firsthand how structured visual supports can help individuals with IDD:
- Get ready for school or employment
- Prepare meals safely and independently
- Build a medication adherence routine
- Navigate social or community activities
- Build life skills for greater self-reliance
Our approach is grounded in neuroscience and personalized support, helping users build skills, reinforce routines, and grow their confidence over time. Whether supporting a young child with autism or a young adult with Down syndrome, assistive tools like MapHabit are designed to grow with the individual and adapt to their changing needs.
Why Empowerment Matters
Access to meaningful support and resources allows people with IDD to reach their full potential and actively contribute to their communities
True empowerment goes beyond completing tasks. It’s about honoring each person’s right to choose, grow, and participate fully in life. Tools like MapHabit support:
- Self-determination: Making choices and having control over one's own life
- Skill-building: Gaining confidence and competence over time
- Social inclusion: Participating in schools, communities, and the workforce
- Improved mental health: Reducing frustration and anxiety related to communication or task breakdowns
- Consistency of care: Personalized routines that can be modified as the individual’s needs change also help direct support workers and therapists achieve outcomes quicker
Families and care teams report that even small moments of independence, like a child brushing their teeth without reminders or a young adult independently catching the bus, can dramatically improve the mood, confidence, and freedom of the individual and reduce stress on caregivers.
When speaking about a 7-year-old member with autism, Ashley Murray, Care Manager at ABHKY noted, “Previously reliant on constant verbal cues, our member now independently follows a step-by-step routine with the [MapHabit] tablet, managing tasks from breakfast to showering. With decreased assistance needed, he responds effectively to alarms for specific tasks, demonstrating improved understanding and independence.”
The Future of IDD Support
As awareness of IDD continues to grow, so does the need for inclusive, tech-enabled solutions that support neurodiversity in schools, homes, and communities.
Public and private initiatives are expanding access to services through Medicaid waivers, school-based supports, and employer-sponsored programs. However, technology will continue to play a pivotal role in bridging service gaps, especially for families in rural or underserved areas.
Solutions like MapHabit aim to complement traditional services—not replace them. By putting accessible tools in the hands of individuals and caregivers, we can create more consistent, person-centered support systems that improve long-term outcomes.
Get Support at No Cost
Everyone deserves tools that match how they learn and live. If you or someone you care for could benefit from visual supports, MapHabit may be available to you for free through state-funded programs.
Learn more about getting access to MapHabit at no cost and start building independence today.
