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

Nevill, who directs the UVA Autism Research Core, explained there are several reasons to broaden the legal precedent to bar all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from facing the death penalty. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025

Autism is a developmental disability that affects everyone who has it a little differently. —Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025

Benefits programs and services that build independence for children and adults with developmental disabilities. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

In the 1930s, Connecticut established a safe haven for people with developmental disabilities to live out their lives. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for developmental disability

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility

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