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

Under the settlement, the Sheriff’s Office agreed to retrofit showers, toilets and beds to meet accessibility standards, ensure access to devices like wheelchairs and CPAP machines and provide appropriate support for people with developmental disabilities. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

The Inland Regional Center, a nonprofit serving those with developmental disabilities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, said its clients fear the loss of critical services with the spending cuts. —Victoria Ivie, Oc Register, 30 July 2025

John Gill is president and CEO at Quest Inc., a local nonprofit organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities. —John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025

For 76 years, Midwest Special Services of St. Paul — better known as MSS — has provided opportunities to clients with developmental disabilities. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 July 2025

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