With the person

There is no ‘best age or time’ to tell a person about their developmental disability diagnosis, and parents (or clinicians) need to use their judgement. In general, it is best to keep the information simple and concrete, provide incremental amounts of detail about the diagnosis, and allow time for processing. An approach that focuses on strengths (rather than limitations) can help build resilience and equip people with developmental disability for participation in their wider community.

See also Communicating with people with developmental disability and Social and functional support for people with developmental disability.