Developmental Disability Definition

According to federal law, a developmental disability is:

1. a severe, chronic disability of an individual five years of age or older that:

a. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
b. is manifested before the person attains age 22;
c. is likely to continue indefinitely; and,

2. results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

a. Self Care
b. Receptive and Expressive
Language
c. Mobility
d. Learning
e. Self Direction
f. Capacity of Independent Living
g. Economic Self-Sufficiency; and,

3. reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic services, supports or other assistance that is of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; and,

4. except that such term, when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth to age 5, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.

(Source: Public Law 104-183 and successors)

The terms Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities used throughout this document is reference language used in state and federal law.