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

There is also some evidence to suggest that many children, particularly those with developmental disabilities, may be negatively impacted by an unstructured academic environment. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2024

Maki says the best place to start the housing conversation is with your state agency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. —Keren Landman, Vox, 30 May 2024

All Phoenix police officers receive training on developmental disabilities, including autism, during their training at the Phoenix Police Regional Academy, a police spokesperson told The Arizona Republic last year. —Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 13 June 2024

Your state council on developmental disabilities is also a good starting point for finding groups and organizations that offer activities and outings for adults with IDD. —Keren Landman, Vox, 30 May 2024

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