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
Melanie HowardAutism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.—Braema Mathi
Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled
adjective
developmentally disabled students
Examples of developmental disability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Noel’s speech was limited, and poor vision and a limp were among his developmental disabilities.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Officers and recruits receive instruction in de-escalation receive specialized training in behavioral health, crisis intervention, and interactions with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
On December 15, 1994, Versace opened Casa Casuarina’s gates for a benefit supporting Best Buddies, an organization that pairs volunteers with people who have developmental disabilities.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for developmental disability
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Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Officers and recruits receive instruction in de-escalation receive specialized training in behavioral health, crisis intervention, and interactions with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
On December 15, 1994, Versace opened Casa Casuarina’s gates for a benefit supporting Best Buddies, an organization that pairs volunteers with people who have developmental disabilities.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for developmental disability
Cite this Entry
“Developmental disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disability. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Melanie HowardAutism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.—Braema Mathi
Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled
adjective
developmentally disabled children
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