Developmental disability is a term used to describe severe, life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested before the age of 22. The term is used most commonly in the United States to refer to disabilities affecting daily functioning in three or more of the following areas:

• capacity for independent living
• economic self-sufficiency
• learning
• mobility
• receptive and expressive language
• self-care
• self-direction

Usually people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, various genetic and chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome are described as having developmental disabilities. This use of the term is synonymous with the use of the term learning disability in the United Kingdom and intellectual disability in Australia, Europe, Canada and elsewhere. Cognitive disability is also used synonymously in some jurisdictions.

More on [ Developmental disability ]

BBC Sport | Other Sports | Disability Sport | UK Edition

Shuker reaches wheelchair final
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:07:14 -0000
Britain's Lucy Shuker is through to the final of the Wimbledon wheelchair women's doubles final.
British trio take Swiss victories
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:01:52 -0000
Wheelchair racers David Weir, Shelly Woods and Mickey Bushell all win at the Jona International meeting in Switzerland.
England can beat Spain - Larkin
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:56:41 -0000
England coach Tony Larkin says his side can beat champions Spain at the European Blind Football Championships in France.
Shuker ready for Wimbledon debut
Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:11:25 -0000
Lucy Shuker will be the sole British representative in this year's wheelchair doubles events at Wimbledon.
Penfold excited by Special Olympics
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:10:42 -0000
Special Olympics ambassador Lee Penfold is urging the people of Leicester to support the Special Olympics Great Britain when they come to the Walkers Stadium in July.
Adaptive rowers win three golds
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:00:34 -0000
Britain's crews win three gold medals in the adaptive rowing events at the Munich World Cup regatta.

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