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

This realization galvanized Pham to launch IEC, which focuses on preparing clinicians to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), designing systems to meet diverse patient needs, and finding better ways to finance those services. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Clark is a recent graduate of Athlete Leadership University, a collegiate-style program for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Sarah Kelly, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2025

Marklund is a nonprofit organization that provides care to individuals with severe developmental disabilities or other special needs, according to its website. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025

Florida’s prison system is rife with allegations of abuse and brutality and inadequate medical care, even for inmates without developmental disabilities or mental health issues. —Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

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