A disability which; originates before age 18: can be expected to continue indefinitely; constitutes a substantial handicap to the disabled’s ability to function normally in society; and is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, any other condition closely related to mental retardation because it results in similar impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior or requires similar treatment and services, or dyslexia resulting from one of the conditions just listed. The term is defined in the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (section 102(7)) which authorizes Federal assistance for services and facilities for the developmentally disabled.
A condition due to congenital abnormality, trauma, deprivation, or disease that interrupts or delays the sequence and rate of normal growth, development, and maturation.