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The term "Developmental Disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:
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is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment;
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is manifested before the individual attains the age of 22;
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is likely to continue indefinitely;
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results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:
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self-care
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receptive and expressive language
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learning
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mobility
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self-direction
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capacity for independent living
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economic self-sufficiency; and,
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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.
As defined by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402.
Developmental Delay
Developmental delay is defined as failure to meet expected developmental milestones in one or more of the following areas: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, speech and language and/or adaptive development (sometimes called self-help skills, which include dressing, toileting, feeding, etc).
It is diagnosed when a child performs approximately 25 to 30% below age norms in one or more of these areas (with adjustment for prematurity in affected children). Progress occurs at a slower than expected rate following the anticipated sequence. Various medical and environmental causes exist.
Some examples of physical or mental disorders likely to result in delayed developmental are: chromosomal abnormalities; genetic or congenital disorders; severe sensory impairments, including hearing and vision; inborn errors of metabolism; disorders reflecting disturbance of the development of the nervous system; congenital infections; and disorders secondary to exposure to toxic substances, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
The verification of delay is obtained through an evaluation process which includes at least three of the following: informed clinical opinion to include observational assessment, standardized development test(s), developmental inventory, behavioral checklist, adaptive behavior measure, and parent interview. Developmental delay can occur temporarily or it can be long-term and never fully resolve.
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Developmental Disability
