Definition of Developmental Disability

A federal law called the “Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000” describes what a developmental disability is. The description is listed below. This is what it means:

  • Developmental disabilities are disabilities that a person has before they turn 22 years old. Examples are intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities.
  • Developmental disabilities last the person’s whole life.
  • Developmental disabilities are disabilities that affect a person’s ability to do activities without support. This includes things like taking care of themselves, talking and understanding others, learning, moving around their home and community, making decisions, and working.
  • People with developmental disabilities need different kinds of services. They need help coordinating their services.

From the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (PL 106-402)

“Developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

  1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and
  2. physical impairments;
  3. is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
  4. is likely to continue indefinitely;
  5. results in substantial functional limitations in 3 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
  6. reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

Infants And Young Children

Infants and young children through age 9 who have a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described above if they would likely meet those criteria later in life without services and supports.