Definition of Developmental Disabilities

As defined by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance
and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402.

The term “Developmental Disability” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

1. is attributable to mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;

2. is manifested before the individual attains the aged of 22;

3. is likely to continue indefinitely;

4. results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive, and expressive living, and economic self-sufficiency; and

5. reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized support, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

When applied to in infants and children, developmental disabilities means individuals from birth to age nine, inclusive, who have a substantial, developmental delay or specific, congenital or acquired condition, and may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting three or more of the criteria above if the individuals, without services and supports, have a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.