is a term used to describe life-long
Disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical or combination of mental and physical
Impairments , manifested prior to age twenty-two. The term is used most commonly in the
United States to refer to disabilities affecting daily functioning in three or more of the following areas:
- capacity for independent living
- economic self-sufficiency
- learning
- mobility
- receptive and expressive language
- self-care
- self-direction
Usually people with
Mental Retardation ,
Cerebral Palsy ,
Autism Spectrum Disorder , various
Genetic And Chromosomal Disorders such as
Down Syndrome and
Fragile X Syndrome , and
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are described as having developmental disabilities. This use of the term is synonymous with the use of the term in the
United Kingdom and '''intellectual disability''' in
Australia ,
Europe ,
Canada and elsewhere. '''Cognitive disability''' is also used synonymously in some jurisdictions.
Developmental disabilities are usually classified as severe, profound, moderate or mild, as assessed by the individual's need for supports, which may be lifelong.
There are many social, environmental and physical causes of developmental disabilities, although for some a definitive cause may never be determined. Common factors causing developmental disabilities include:
