Definition of "Developmental Disability"

According to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

• Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments;
• Is manifested before the individual 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 (understanding) and expressive language
  • Learning
  • Mobility (ability to move)
  • Self direction (motivation)
  • Capacity for independent living
  • Economic self sufficiency; and
• Reflects the individual's need for a combination or sequence of special, interdisciplinary, generic services, individual supports or other forms of assistance which are of a lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated;
• Infants and Young Children — an individual from birth to age nine, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting three or more of the criteria described above if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.