What Does “Developmental Disability” Mean?
Before diving into the processes of engaging this special population, it is important to actually understand who its members are. Gosden (2003) explains that the term “developmental disability” refers to the presence of chronic, severe disabilities resulting from mental and/or physical impairments that are manifested before the age of 22, are likely permanent, and lead to considerable functional limitations in at least three of the following areas: • self-care • self-direction • mobility • learning • receptive and expressive language • capacity to live independently • economic self-sufficiency Mental retardation is similar, characterized by the occurrence of at least two considerable limitations (see the above list) that begin in childhood, and with an IQ of below of 70. The most common forms of developmental disabilities are mental retardation, seizure disorders, autism, cerebral palsy, and head injuries (Salley, 2003). This includes, among others, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fe
