Developmental Disability

In the United States mental retardation is now a part of the broader term "developmental disability", which also includes epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy and other disorders that become apparent during the developmental period (birth to age 18.) However, in school-based settings, the more precise term for sub-average cognitive functioning is mental retardation. The term mental retardation is one of 13 categories of disability under which school children may be identified for special education services under Public Law 108-446.

Adults and children with learning disabilities may also exhibit the following characteristics:

• Delays in oral language development
• Deficits in memory skills
• Difficulty learning social rules
• Difficulty with problem solving skills
• Delays in the development of adaptive behaviors such as self-help or self-care skills
• Lack of social inhibitors

Specialist

Agency for developmental disabilities

Helpful Links