developmental disorder

noun

plural developmental disorders

: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders that include a wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disability.

—Meredith Moss

Examples of developmental disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder affecting how people communicate, interact with others, learn and behave. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

It’s also known to cause skin lesions, raise risk of heart problems, and is associated with developmental disorders in childhood, according to the World Health Organization. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024

Revenue from newsstand sales goes mainly to a charity for people with developmental disorders including autism. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024

Better understanding the earliest stages of life could yield insights far beyond developmental disorders. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

developmental disorder

noun

: a condition (such as autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia) that is typically marked by delayed development or impaired function especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility : developmental disability