The Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities supports plans and strategies for the prevention of developmental disabilities. Due to advances in science and technology, we now know how to reduce the occurrence of many, but not all disabilities. Prevention strategies should include primary, secondary and tertiary efforts.
Primary prevention consists of efforts to remove the causes of developmental disabilities.
Secondary prevention attempts to identify a problem early enough to change the circumstances which can create, or increase the severity of a developmental disability. Tertiary prevention attempts to reduce the long-term impact of a disability or at least relieve some of its effects. Prevention of developmental disabilities should include these three levels and promote federal, state and local agencies working together. This includes the federal child health, education and early intervention resources available through Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.