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

More than 5,000 Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities remain on a waitlist for supplemental Medicaid services. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

By building a business that puts folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities behind the counter, Ratcliffe hopes to inspire local business owners to reframe their beliefs around employing workers with disabilities and, importantly, to consider the benefits of doing so. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024

New and forthcoming federal regulations aim to improve care and inch closer to delivering more independence for all U.S. adults with developmental disabilities. —Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

Arizona Autism United, Phoenix, $7,500 To empower more than 200 children with developmental disabilities to reach their goals at home, in school, and in their communities with the help of early intervention services and educational support. —Alexis Waiss, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024

Elem tribal members all have stories of serious health problems, from developmental disabilities to cancer. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024

The Anchorage Daily News reported that Hoffman’s father, Timothy, said his daughter had developmental disabilities and considered Brehmer to be her best friend. —Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024

And people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face many barriers to the kind of basic self-care people with mild to moderate Covid or flu can maintain with relative ease. —Andrew Pulrang, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The Opportunity Tree, Phoenix, $7,500 To provide 150 youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities with workforce development programming that will help them transition successfully from high school to employment, independence and adulthood. —Alexis Waiss, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 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