developmental disability
noun
plural developmental disabilities
: any of various conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility
Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.—
Melanie Howard
Melanie HowardAutism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.—Braema Mathi
Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled
adjective
developmentally disabled students
Examples of developmental disability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
North Central remained the site’s owner until 1989, when Little Friends — a social service agency that works with people with autism and developmental disabilities — purchased the property.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Randy Jones, former San Diego Padre and National League Cy Young Award Winner, will once again join forces with Home of Guiding Hands to support over 4,700 infants, adolescents, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during this run/walk event.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders and make lifelong friendships.
—Abby Stern, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Loading your audio article Damon Jones, 49, agreed to a 92-year prison term without fully understanding its consequences due to a severe, lifelong developmental disability, his attorney wrote in court filings.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
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Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Randy Jones, former San Diego Padre and National League Cy Young Award Winner, will once again join forces with Home of Guiding Hands to support over 4,700 infants, adolescents, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during this run/walk event.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders and make lifelong friendships.
—Abby Stern, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Loading your audio article Damon Jones, 49, agreed to a 92-year prison term without fully understanding its consequences due to a severe, lifelong developmental disability, his attorney wrote in court filings.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for developmental disability
Dictionary Entries Near developmental disability
Cite this Entry
“Developmental disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disability. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
developmental disability
noun
: any of various conditions (as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, blindness, or fragile X syndrome) that usually become apparent during infancy or childhood and are marked by delayed development or functional limitations especially in learning, language, communication, cognition, behavior, socialization, or mobility
Two to three babies in 1,000 have cerebral palsy (CP), making it one of the most common developmental disabilities.—Melanie Howard
Melanie HowardAutism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.—Braema Mathi
Braema Mathi
developmentally disabled
adjective
developmentally disabled children
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