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
Last November, Brooke had the opportunity to visit Our Pride Academy, a nonprofit school in Kendall for individuals with developmental disabilities.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Built in the 1930s as a residential facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, STS at its peak housed more than 2,300 residents across a 1,600-acre campus with 125 buildings.
—Lisa Seminara, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025
The governor has vowed to veto all bills sent to her until there is a compromise with lawmakers on funding for a state agency that provides services for people with developmental disabilities.
—Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Research supports the benefits of such settings, showing that children with developmental disabilities exhibit up to a 30% increase in communication skills when exposed to peers who model typical language.
—Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
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Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Built in the 1930s as a residential facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, STS at its peak housed more than 2,300 residents across a 1,600-acre campus with 125 buildings.
—Lisa Seminara, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025
The governor has vowed to veto all bills sent to her until there is a compromise with lawmakers on funding for a state agency that provides services for people with developmental disabilities.
—Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Research supports the benefits of such settings, showing that children with developmental disabilities exhibit up to a 30% increase in communication skills when exposed to peers who model typical language.
—Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for developmental disability
Cite this Entry
“Developmental disability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20disability. Accessed 6 May. 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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