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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The pair started the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University, which helps kids with developmental disabilities. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 In fact, one in five adults with developmental disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals, are currently unemployed. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 As for work, Pidgeon has left the pharmacy industry and now works with adults with developmental disabilities. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024 Silver Alerts are a helpful tool for finding missing people who are 65 or older or who have developmental disabilities. Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for developmental disability 

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developmental disability was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near developmental disability

Cite this Entry

“Developmental disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disability. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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