developmental disability

[dih-vel-uhp-muhn-tl dis-uh-bil-i-tee]

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.

developmental disability

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.

Other Word Forms

• developmentally disabled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of developmental disability¹

First recorded in 1965–70