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What is IDD?
What is IDD?
Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD), sometimes called an intellectual disability, is a lifelong condition where a person's brain develops differently, affecting their ability to think, learn, and adapt to new situations. People with IDD have significant challenges with:
intellectual skills which means they may find it harder to understand things, solve problems, and learn new skills compared to others.
life skills or adaptive functioning, meaning they might need extra help with everyday tasks, like managing personal care, handling money, following instructions, and communicating or interacting with others.
IDD is something people are born with and affects a person’s development, so they might reach milestones like talking or walking later than others.
Some children are diagnosed with a Global Developmental Delay (GDD). GDD is a diagnosis given to children under 5 years old who show significant delays in developmental areas, such as:
Speech and language
Motor skills (sitting, walking, coordination)
Problem-solving and learning
Social or emotional development
Daily living skills
Because very young children are still developing, it’s not always possible to accurately measure intellectual functioning. GDD is often considered a “temporary” diagnosis until the child is old enough for more formal testing. If delays continue beyond age 5 and meet criteria, the diagnosis may change to IDD.
While there is limited high quality data available on the prevalence of intellectual disabilities and rates can differ depending on the criteria being used, according to the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, 1.5% of Canadians aged 15 and older had a developmental disability.
What are the severity levels and what do they mean?
What are the severity levels and what do they mean?
IDD ranges from mild to profound in severity based on how much support a person needs in daily life.
Mild: May learn academic skills up to a Grade 6 level; often able to work and live independently with minimal support; may need help with more complex life decisions.
Moderate: Academic skills usually develop to a Grade 2–3 level; can learn self-care and simple work tasks with training; ongoing support is usually needed for daily living.
Severe: Limited academic learning; requires extensive support with self-care and daily activities; communication may be simple words or phrases.
Profound: Significant limitations in all areas; may have co-occurring physical or sensory challenges; needs around-the-clock care and support.
How can you help?
How can you help?
Create Visuals
Create Visuals
Visual supports can make information easier to understand and remember. Whether through picture schedules, social stories, or graphic organizers, visuals help break down complex ideas into clear, concrete steps. Agencies like the Geneva Centre and ConnectABILITY provide tools and templates that parents, teachers, and caregivers can adapt for different ages and needs.
Develop Academic Skills
Develop Academic Skills
Supporting reading, writing, and math skills starts with understanding how these abilities develop and what’s being taught at each grade level in the Ontario Curriculum. By knowing the learning expectations, parents and educators can provide targeted support and reinforcement at home and school, helping students build confidence and independence in their academic abilities.
Access Recreational Activities
Access Recreational Activities
Recreational opportunities such as sports, arts, and community programs play a key role in building confidence, social skills, and physical health. Recreation programs like Special Olympics and other inclusive options ensure that children and youth can participate meaningfully, regardless of ability.
Help Develop Independence
Help Develop Independence
Developing independence is a gradual process that benefits from appropriate guidance. Resources like Navigating the Teen Years, Discover MyRoute for the TTC , and Holland Bloorview's adult transition services can help youth build essential life skills.
Care for Yourself
Care for Yourself
Caring for a child with special needs can be deeply rewarding but also demanding. It’s important for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being through rest, support networks, and self-care practices. Resources like the Care for Yourself as the Caregiver guide and other caregiver toolkits offer practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining balance.
Join Groups & Connect with Others
Join Groups & Connect with Others
Connecting with other families can provide emotional support, shared experiences, and valuable resources. Join a Family Support Group, such as FamilyLink, or connect with other parents through Woodgreen Parent Shared Services to exchange ideas, ask questions, and build a sense of community.
What type of funding is available?
What type of funding is available?
The following is a list of some common funding options:
For those less than 18 years of age:
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD): monthly funding for lower income families who are facing many costs to meet the needs of their child with a severe disability (income based)
Special Services at Home (SSAH): funding which can help with respite and services to enhance skill development (list of services you can get)
Disability Tax Credit: helps families offset the cost of supports by reducing the amount of tax owed every year (psychologist, psychological associate or doctor can complete it)
Child Care Subsidy: financial help with day care (income based)
Access2 Card: discounted admission for support person at movies/attractions
Jump Start: income-based grants for sports and physical activity
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP): savings plan to help an individual who is approved for the disability tax credit (DTC) to save for their long-term financial security
Adult funding (18 years and older):
Some individuals may qualify for adult supports through Developmental Services Ontario (416-925-0295). Apply once your child is 16 years old. A psychological assessment report is needed. Here is a video about how to apply.
Apply for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) funding six months before your child turns 18 years of age.
Long term financial and estate planning:
Where can you get support?
Where can you get support?
Families seeking specialized support have access to a range of services and resources. Holland Bloorview’s Extensive Needs Service provides coordinated, multidisciplinary care for children and youth with complex developmental, medical, and behavioural needs. Surrey Place Centre has different programs and services including the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program that offer medical and health services for individuals with developmental disabilities. For information, tools, and community connections, ConnectABILITY serves as a virtual hub where families, educators, and service providers can find practical resources, interactive tools, and peer support online.
Find out more about IDD:
Watch:
Listen:
Read/Learn:
Resources
Resources
IDD Information Guide
An accessible text-only version of this document can be found here:
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Blais, J. M., & McDonald, K. E. (2021). Time to be counted: COVID-19 and intellectual and developmental disabilities. FACETS, 6, 1337–1389. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2021-0038
McKenzie, K., Milton, M., Smith, G., & Ouellette-Kuntz, H. (2016). Systematic review of the prevalence and incidence of intellectual disabilities: Current trends and issues. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 3(2), 104–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-016-0085-7
Statistics Canada. (2024, October 8). Canadians with learning, developmental and memory disabilities, 2022. The Daily. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241008/dq241008d-eng.htm
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