(dev·el·op·men·tal dis·a·bil·i·ty) NOUN: A mental or physical disability, such as cerebral palsy or autism, arising before age 22 and usually lasting throughout life.

A severe, chronic disability which is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; is manifested before the person attains age 22; is likely to continue indefinitely; results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity of independent living, economic self-sufficiency; and reflects the person's needs for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care treatments of services which are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

A severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that is: a) attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination thereof; b) manifested before the individual attains age 22; c) likely to continue indefinitely; d) results in substantial functional limitations in major life activities; and e) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, supports, or other assistance

A genetic disorder that impairs development of cognitive and motor skills of which Cerebral Palsy is one example.

A severe and chronic impairment that is attributable to one of the following conditions: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or a disabling condition closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment. To establish eligibility for services within the regional center system, a disability is further defined as having begun before the eighteenth birthday, as being expected to continue indefinitely and as presenting a substantial adaptive impairment.

a disability that begins during the developmental period (before age 22 years); federal legislation defines developmental disability in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000 (PL 106-402)

Florida Statute 393 defines “developmental disability” as a disorder or syndrome which is attributable to retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, or spina bifida and which constitutes a substantial handicap that can be reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.

a severe, chronic mental and/or physical disability that occurs before the age of 22 and is expected to last a lifetime.  It limits a person in three or more of the following life activities: self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

a defmed condition which is caused by a mental and/or physical problem that must exist before the age of twenty-two

a disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or a specific learning disability

a disability diagnosed as a mental or physical condition or a combination of mental and physical conditions resulting in significant impairments to daily functioning

a disability that is manifested before a person reaches the age of twenty-two years

a disability that originates before the age of twenty-two and is expected to continue indefinitely

a lifelong condition that means a person grows and develops differently and more slowly than others

a life-long condition, usually manifest at birth, where people's intellectual development is impacted

a long-term condition that significantly delays or limits mental or physical development and substantially interferes with such life activities as self care, communication, learning, decision making, capacity for independent living, and mobility

a result of mental retardation related conditions when they impair general intellectual functioning or result in behaviors similar to that of persons with mental retardation

a severe, chronic condition that is attributable to a mental and/or physical impairment and is likely to continue indefinitely

Any mental or physical impairment that occurs before age 22, impedes normal growth and development, and which continues into old age.

". . . a disability which originates before an individual attains age 18, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial handicap for such individuals. . . This term shall include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include handicapping conditions found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature." (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4512 (a))

A severe, chronic, often lifelong disability that causes substantial limitations in several major life activities ...attributable to a mental, emotional, sensory, and/or physical impairment that is apparent before the age of twenty-two.

A disability that originates before age 18, can be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial handicap to the person's ability to function normally.

is a substantial handicap in mental or physical functioning, with onset before the age of 18 and of indefinite duration.  Examples are autism, cerebral palsy, uncontrolled epilepsy, certain other neuropathies, and mental retardation. 22

Any severe disability, mental and/or physical, which is present before an individual be­comes eighteen years old, which substantially limits his ac­tivities, is likely to continue indefinitely, and requires life-long care, treatment, or other services. Examples of developmental disabilities include Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy.

A disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, a learning disability, or other condition found to be closely related to mental retardation and originates before age 22.

A severe, chronic impairment (with onset before age 22 and which is likely to continue indefinitely) which creates substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, potential for independent living, and potential for economic self-sufficiency as an adult.

Defined as "measured intellectual functioning of approximately 70 IQ or lower, with onset before age 18, and measured significant limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas." Eligibility criteria reflect the internationally accepted definition of developmental disability including IQ measurement of 70 [with a standard error of 3-5 points] and the key role adaptive skills play in both the definition and determination of eligibility for services.

a problem in physical or mental development that appears before the age of eighteen. An inability to perform physically and/or mentally within certain expected age limits. This phrase usually refers to areas one expects to see improved progressively as the child matures and for which there are recognized developmental time tables.

Affliction characterized by chronic physical and mental disabilities, which may include: cerebral palsy, retardation, thyroid problems, seizures, and quadriplegia.

A disability that is acquired during the period the person is developing, generally before age 21 or at birth, and that significantly impacts several life activity areas such as self-care, self-direction, learning, mobility, speech and independent living.

A severe, chronic disability which (1) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments; (2) is manifested before the person attains the age of 22 years; (3) is likely to continue indefinitely; (4) results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of life: self-care, mobility, learning, language, self-direction, capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency, and (5) reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of specialized services, which are of lifelong or extended duration and which are individually planned and coordinated; except that such term, when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth to age nine, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions or may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting the criteria described above, if, without services and supports, they have high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

A disability of a person manifested before the age of 22, and expected to continue indefinitely, attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, brain injury or another neurological condition closely related to mental retardation or requiring treatment similar to that required for mental retardation, and that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more major areas of life activity.

The United States government's definition of "developmental disability" requires that the disability be a mental and/or physical impairment, manifest before the individual is 22 years old, will likely continue indefinitely, results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more major life activities, and will necessitate special services and supports of either lifelong or extended duration. Speech and language disorders are not generally "developmental disabilities," in and of themselves, but can be a result of a developmental disability. Speech and language disorders, however, are sometimes labelled as "developmental apraxia of speech" or "developmental dyspraxia" in order to indicate that the disorder is one that occurs in children without a known incident of injury or illness. This does not mean to infer that these particular speech and language disorders are not caused by an injury or lillness, simply that the moment of injury/illness is typically unknown.

A condition that may prevent physical and/or cognitive development. Cerebral Palsy is considered a developmental disability.

Any mental and/or physical disability that has an onset before age 22 and may continue indefinitely. It can limit major life activities. Term includes individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy (and other seizure disorders), sensory impairments, congenital disabilities, traumatic accidents, or conditions caused by disease (polio, muscular dystrophy, etc.)

A chronic disability which is attributable to a mental or physical impairment. It is manifested before the person reaches age 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely resulting in a substantial functional limitation and reflecting the person's need for care and treatment. Common developmental disabilities include mental retardation, and autism, among others.

Defined in law as a "severe and chronic disability" which is attributed to a mental or physical impairment or combination; is manifested before age 22; and results in substantial functional limitation in at least three major life activities.

A severe, chronic disability, attributable to a mental or physical impairment. Developmental disabilities are manifested before 22 years of age and are likely to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities result in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of life: self-care; mobility; learning; language; self-direction; capacity for independent living; or economic self-sufficiency.

A handicap or impairment originating before the age of eighteen which may be expected to continue indefinitely and which constitutes a substantial disability

A severe, chronic disability which: a) is a mental or physical impairment or combination of the two; b) occurs before the age of 22; c) is likely to continue; d) results in limitations in three or more areas of major life activity, including: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and e) reflects the need for special, interdisciplinary care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned or coordinated. A person with developmental disabilities is someone who has not progressed at the “standard” rate in acquiring skills in motor, adaptive, communicative, and social areas. The four disabilities most common to individuals diagnosed as having a developmental disability include epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and mental retardation.

any handicapping condition related to delays in maturation of or difficulties with skills or intellect.

A significant mental or physical impairment which onsets before age 22 and usually requires lifelong services.

a mental and/or physical disability which is present prior to the eighteenth birthday, which significantly limits the child' s activities, is likely to continue indefinitely, and needs life-long care, treatment, or additional services (i.e. autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome)

Refers to a serious and chronic disability, which is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments. Those affected have limitations in three or more of the following areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity of independent living, economic self-sufficiency. Those who have a developmental disability often require long-term treatment and care-planning.

A disability or impairment beginning in infancy or childhood which may be expected to continue indefinitely and which causes a substantial disability. Such conditions include pervasive developmental disorders, autism, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

Developmental disability is a term used to describe severe, life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested before the age of 22.

In California “Developmental Disability”http://www.dds.ca.gov/Title17/PrintFriendly.cfm?ArticleID=42 means a disability that is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or disabling conditions found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation.