Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) involve challenges with both cognitive functioning and activities of daily living. The field of IDD science and practice has often applied a Quality of Life framework to promoting well‐being for those with IDD, however health disparities persist. Taking a prevention science approach to promoting health and quality of life may be a particularly effective way to decrease health disparities among individuals with IDD by addressing the challenging biopsychosocial risks that individuals with IDD experience during early childhood. This commentary discusses the promise of applying prevention science theory, research, and practice to promoting the quality of life of individuals with IDD, while recognizing the historical, methodological, and ethical challenges to doing so. Several opportunities for research partnerships between prevention scientists and applied IDD researchers are proposed for basic science research, community‐based participatory research, Type 1 translational research, and Type 2 translational research.