developmental disability

noun

plural developmental disabilities

: any of various conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility

Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.

—Melanie Howard

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.

—Braema Mathi

developmentally disabled adjective

developmentally disabled students

Examples of developmental disability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In an email, Hillary Simmons, director of development for Mattingly Edge, said the proceeds will support adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 13 May 2024

About 700,000 people were on waiting lists in 2023, most of them with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to KFF data. —Daniel Chang, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024

In addition to his work as an actor, Pearl has directed a number of theatrical productions, and taught film arts at Joey Travolta's Inclusion Film Company for children and adults with developmental disabilities. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 9 May 2024

The money would go to support a $37 million multi-unit development led by nonprofit Communities of Crocus, which aims to provide housing for adults with autism and similar intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as medical conditions. —Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024

Bottom Line • Founded: 2001 • Headquarters: Fishers • Company profile: A human services agency committed to providing meaningful and dignified support to children, adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 6 May 2024

Jaffe’s first show was at Cedars of Marin, a Marin nonprofit with day programming and residential programs for individuals with developmental disabilities that Bread & Roses has been serving since the 1970s. —Paul Liberatore, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024

Advertisement The Self-Determination Program is an alternative option for people with developmental disabilities who get services through regional centers, a system of nonprofits that contract with the state. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Her family tried to explain her developmental disabilities, and Masten’s physical disabilities are visible, but deputies wouldn’t listen, according to the suit. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

developmental disability

noun

: any of various conditions (as autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability) that are marked by delayed or impaired development (as in learning, language, or mobility)

developmentally disabled adjective

Medical Definition

developmental disability

noun

: any of various conditions (as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility

Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.

—Melanie Howard

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.

—Braema Mathi

developmentally disabled adjective

developmentally disabled children