Developmental Disabilities Definition

What is a developmental disability?


In general, a developmental disability includes, but is not limited to, people who have an intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, severe seizure disorder or a severe head injury that occurs before the age of 22.

Under federal law, developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

  • is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
  • is manifested before the age of 22;
  • is likely to continue indefinitely;
  • results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
    • self care
    • receptive and expressive language
    • learning
    • mobility
    • self-direction
    • capacity for independent living
    • economic self-sufficiency; and
    • reflects the individual's need for services, supports or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.