Developmental Disorders

A Developmental Disability can be defined as "A severe and chronic disability of a person which: is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairment; is manifested before the person attains age 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely; results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity (self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency); reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are lifelong or of an extended duration and individually planned and coordinated." (Haring & McCormick, 1986)

Developmental Disabilities include disabilities such as Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Prada-Willi Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Spina Bifida, and Sensory Impairments (Visual and Hearing) to name a few.