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

The Georgia Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 433, which would allow Georgia residents with autism or a developmental disability, or the spouse, parent or legal guardian of someone with autism to get the specialty plate. —Maya Prabhu, AJC.com, 26 Feb. 2026

Naperville residents Laura and Russ Karlins were presented with Marklund’s 2026 Friend of the Year award for their dedication in supporting individuals with profound developmental disabilities. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities want what everyone wants, a home, a sense of belonging, and the chance to live a full life. —Fay Lenz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026

The next and final phase will shift about two dozen males with developmental disabilities from Los Padrinos to Dorothy Kirby. —Jason Henry, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for developmental disability

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility

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