What is a Developmental Disability?
A developmental disability is a disability that is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the federal definition of "Developmental Disability" found in 42 U.S.C. 6000, et seq., shall not apply.
Impairment of general intellectual functioning means that the person has been determined to have an intellectual quotient equivalent which is two or more standard deviations below the mean (70 or less assuming a scale with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15), as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the nature of the person's disability, and administered by a qualified professional. The standard error measurement of the instrument should be considered when determining the intellectual quotient equivalent. When an individual's general intellectual functioning cannot be measured by a standardized instrument, then the assessment of a qualified professional shall be used.
Adaptive behavior means that the person has overall adaptive behavior which is significantly limited in two or more skill areas (communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work:, as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the person's living environment, and administered and clinically determined by a qualified professional.
Similar to that of a person with mental retardation, in regard to adaptive behavior, means that a person's adaptive behavior limitations are a direct result of or are significantly influenced by the person's substantial cognitive deficits and may not be attributable to only a physical or sensory impairment or mental illness.
[Above definition is direct copy of Colorado Dept. of Human Services Definition Adopted 8/4/95]
Developmental Delay
A developmental delay is the slowed or impaired development of a child who is under 5 years old and who is at risk of having a developmental disability because of the presence of one or more of the following:
- Chromosomal conditions associated with mental retardation,
- Congenital syndromes and conditions associated with delay in development,
- Metabolic disorders,
- Prenatal and perinatal infections and significant medical problems,
- Low birth weight infants weighing less than 1200 grams,
- Postnatal acquired problems known to result in significant developmental delays, OR:
- A child less than 5 years old who is delayed in development by 1.5 standard deviations or more in one or more of the following areas; communication, self-help, social-emotional, motor skills, sensory development or cognition, OR
- A child less than 3 years of age who lives with one or both parents who have a developmental disability.
