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

Maryland officials slashed $126 million this spring from programs serving people with developmental disabilities, with much of the impact falling on families like Gonce’s. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026

Stash notes that the conversation surrounding child safety has grown more nuanced in recent years, particularly among families navigating wandering risks associated with developmental disabilities. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 May 2026

The Georgia General Assembly proposed more than $11 million for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to fund services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Best Shopping Studio Route 29 The joyful, inspiring Studio Route 29 showcases work (paintings, zines, and more) from artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 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