[Exclusive][Welfare Advanced Nation 2030]③ Developmental Disabilities Increased by 25% Over 7 Years... 4 Times Higher Growth Rate Than Total Disabled Population

Increase from 203,879 in 2014 to 255,207 in 2021
Impact of expanding disability awareness from 'physical' to 'mental' categories... Early detection rising in under 10s
20,000 developmentally disabled aged 0-9 as of August this year... Highest growth rate among all age groups
National Assembly's Developmental Disability Task Force formation at a standstill

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The proportion of people with developmental disabilities among all disabled individuals has been gradually increasing. While the total number of registered disabled people in Korea increases by an average of 0.8% annually, developmental disabilities (intellectual and autism spectrum disorders) have been rising by 3.3% each year. In particular, autism spectrum disorder has been increasing by 8.1% annually, with the largest growth seen in infants and children aged 0-9. This is attributed to the expansion of social awareness of disabilities from 'physical' to 'mental' aspects, which has consequently raised recognition of developmental disabilities. Accordingly, there are calls for urgent establishment of systems for early treatment through infant health checkups and support throughout the life cycle.

▲Source=Office of Kang Sun-woo, Democratic Party of Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare

Seoul Seojin School, a special school that was difficult to open after parents' persistent appeals. The plan to establish Seojin School was made in 2014, but it opened six years later due to strong opposition from some local residents. The photo shows the interior of the school. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Over the Past 9 Years, Overall Disabled Population Increased by 6% While Developmental Disabilities Soared by 25%

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's '2021 Survey on the Status of People with Developmental Disabilities' and additional data submitted by the office of Kang Sun-woo, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party, the total number of registered disabled people in Korea increased from 2,494,460 in 2014 to 2,644,700 in 2021, a 6.02% rise. During the same period, the number of people with developmental disabilities surged from 203,879 to 255,207, a 25.18% increase. Consequently, the proportion of people with developmental disabilities among all disabled individuals expanded from 8.17% to 9.65%.

While the total disabled population grows at an average annual rate of 0.8%, the growth rate for people with developmental disabilities is higher at 3.3% per year. By August of this year, approximately 4,900 more individuals were added, bringing the total registered number of people with developmental disabilities in Korea to 260,126.

The rapid increase in people with developmental disabilities is largely due to the expansion of the perception of disability from being limited to 'physical functional limitations' to including 'delays in intellectual functioning.' Until now, the focus was mainly on physical disabilities, and people with developmental disabilities were often regarded simply as 'slower than average individuals.' They were not considered to have a 'disease' or 'disability,' and thus lived as if in a 'strange world' among the general population. However, recently, the concept of 'developmental disability,' defined as lagging behind the normal expected developmental milestones for the respective age, has been established.

Professor Kim In-hyang of the Department of Psychiatry at Hanyang University Hospital explained, "Compared to the past, caregivers' awareness has improved, and the diagnostic criteria for developmental disabilities were broadened in 2013. Additionally, factors such as increased maternal age and exposure to various environmental substances are related to the rise in developmental disabilities."

With the expansion of awareness about developmental disabilities and the ability to conduct 'developmental assessments' during infant health checkups enabling early diagnosis, the number of cases detected during infancy has also significantly increased.

Number of Developmentally Disabled Children Aged 0-9 Reaches 20,043... 5.30% Increase Compared to Last Year, Steepest Growth

By age group, the growth rate among 0-9 year-olds was particularly notable. As of August this year, the number of people with developmental disabilities aged 0-9 was 20,043, a 5.30% increase compared to the end of last year, marking the largest growth among age groups divided from 0 to 70s. During the same period, those aged 10-19 numbered 45,464, a 2.38% increase. The 20-29 age group accounted for the largest proportion at 62,120, but its growth rate was the lowest at 0.11%.

More specifically, when divided into infants aged 0-5 and children and adolescents aged 6-17, these groups accounted for 20.9% of all people with developmental disabilities. This is likely because developmental disabilities are mostly recognized and detected during infancy and childhood/adolescence.

The proportion of developmental disabilities in these age groups is expected to increase further. The government is reportedly considering adding autism spectrum disorder diagnostic items to infant checkups starting in 2023. Autism spectrum disorder is classified as a developmental disability characterized by delayed or abnormal language and social communication development. It is usually detected before age 3, and early detection and treatment are known to lead to better outcomes. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the average age at which developmental disabilities are first detected is 7.3 years, with intellectual disabilities detected at 7.9 years and autism spectrum disorder at 3.1 years.

Legislation Related to Developmental Disabilities Urgently Needed... Special Committee Not Even Formed

Accordingly, early detection and treatment measures for children with developmental disabilities have become urgent. Rehabilitation centers and disability welfare services, currently focused on 'physical disabilities,' need to be expanded to include 'intellectual disabilities' such as developmental delays, along with support measures tailored to the life cycle of people with developmental disabilities. For example, expanding integrated childcare centers during the 'childcare' period and increasing inclusive education appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school ages and adolescence. The Yoon Seok-yeol administration's 110 national tasks also include early detection of disabilities and support for developmental rehabilitation services.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Legislation is also underway. According to the amendment to the Developmental Disabilities Rights Protection Act, led by Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Ki-sang, support for detailed diagnostic costs for infants suspected of having developmental disabilities will be changed from a discretionary provision to a mandatory one. Additionally, infants with potential to develop developmental disabilities will be provided with prevention and treatment information and family counseling support. The amendment aims to establish a legal basis to strengthen government support for detailed diagnostic costs. Lawmaker Choi stated, "I will do my best together with other members of the parliamentary group to establish comprehensive support measures for people with developmental disabilities and to adjust and reorganize the existing support system."

Another Democratic Party lawmaker, Han Byung-do, has submitted a related bill to establish a legal basis for behavioral support for students with developmental disabilities. However, discussions on the bill have stalled. Although Han's bill was submitted to the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, it has not even been discussed.

Developmental Disabilities Act's 'Discretionary Provisions' Need Improvement... "Developmental Disabilities Are Not a Matter of Political Parties"

In May, following a series of tragedies involving families of people with developmental disabilities, including a 40-year-old woman and her 6-year-old developmentally disabled child jumping from their home, voices called for the establishment of a 'Comprehensive Life Cycle Plan for People with Developmental Disabilities.' In response, Democratic Party lawmakers proposed a resolution (with 178 signatories) urging measures to address the tragedies involving people with developmental disabilities, and a resolution to form a special committee (with 176 signatories). The special committee, consisting of 13 members (7 from the Democratic Party, 5 from the People Power Party, and 1 from a minor party), including the chairperson, aims to review and discuss with multiple ministries the adjustment and reorganization of the existing support system and securing funding to guarantee a 24-hour support system for people with developmental disabilities. However, this has not even passed the standing committee stage.

The National Parents' Association for the Disabled, which is urging the passage of the special committee resolution for people with developmental disabilities, demands the establishment of a 24-hour support system, life cycle support measures, and the passage of amendments to the Special Education Act. However, they criticize the slow legislative progress and insufficient content of the bills.

Yoon Jin-cheol, Secretary-General of the National Parents' Association for the Disabled, emphasized, "Currently, many provisions in the Developmental Disabilities Act are discretionary, so many do not actually function," and stressed, "It is urgent to establish a special committee to discuss a comprehensive amendment to the Developmental Disabilities Act." He also expressed concern about the potential politicization of the issue, stating, "Developmental disabilities are not a matter of political parties."