What is the difference between intellectual and developmental disabilities?
The term developmental disability refers to a severe and chronic disability that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment that begins before an individual reaches the age of 22. These disabilities include mental retardation or intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and disabling conditions closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment. Developmental disabilities result in substantial limitations in three or more areas of major life activities: • capacity for independent living • economic self-sufficiency • learning • mobility • receptive and expressive language • self-care • self-direction The term “intellectual disabilities” is a relatively new term. On April 25, 2003, as part of the annual celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, President George W. Bush renamed the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. The term “intellectual disability” is con
Related Questions
- What is the difference between the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities and the King County Developmental Disabilities Division?
- What Christian resources are available for teaching people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
- What is Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities?
