Developmental disabilities can arise before birth, at birth, or during childhood. They may be caused by genetic or environmental factors, or an interaction of the two. Prevention can be thought of in three ways. Primary prevention is the elimination of new cases of a disorder or problem. Educating potential and expectant mothers about the damaging effects of alcohol is a way of preventing fetal alcohol syndrome.
Secondary prevention is aimed at reducing the existing cases of disorders and problems.
If a young child has a language delay, educators try to eliminate the delay through early language intervention. Tertiary prevention is aimed at reducing the effects of a condition or disorder. Special education helps children with disabilities acquire the skills necessary to live independently and productively. Intervention involves discovering problems in children's development and beginning to treat those problems as soon as they are discovered. Intervention may include teaching children language and social skills, supporting motor and sensory development, or teaching a child's parents and caregivers strategies to foster optimal development.