developmental disability

American  

[dih-vel-uhp-muhn-tl dis-uh-bil-i-tee] / dɪˌvɛl əpˈmən tl ˌdɪs əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. a disability, as autism spectrum disorder or cerebral palsy, that impairs physical, intellectual, language, or other development, beginning at an early age and continuing indefinitely, impacting day-to-day functioning.

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developmental disability Scientific  

/ dĭ-vĕl′əp-mĕn′tl /

1. A mental or physical disability, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation, that is present during childhood, interferes with normal physical, intellectual, or emotional development, and usually lasts throughout life.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• developmentally disabled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of developmental disability

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Federal laws forbid references to the patient’s mental health, substance use, developmental disability or HIV status.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025

This year, state lawmakers appropriated more than $106 million to increase Medicaid rates for mental health and developmental disability service providers.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2024

In Indiana, where there isn’t a specialized developmental disability unit, Nick Stellema, the state’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, has helped corrections staff with tools to communicate with nonverbal autistic prisoners.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2024

Experts recommend that caregivers to children younger than 6 years old and adults with a history of dementia, Alzheimer's disease or developmental disability use traditional laundry detergents instead of packets.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2024

According to the DoH's definition, autism is a developmental disability which influences how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they make sense of the world.

From BBC • May 18, 2023