Child Welfare Services

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What is a developmental disability?

New York State's Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities defines a developmental disability as a disability of a person that:

1. is caused by mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neurological impairment, or autism; or
2. is caused by another condition related to mental retardation that results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or behavior similar to that of people with mental retardation, or requires treatment and services similar to those required by people with mental retardation; or
3. is caused by dyslexia resulting from a disability described in subparagraph 1 or 2; and
4. begins before the person is twenty-two years old; and
5. has continued or will continue indefinitely; and
6. is a substantial handicap to the person's ability to function normally in society.

- Federal Definition of Developmental Disability (DD)

Excerpts taken from:
Handbook for Families Adopting a Child with Developmental Disabilities, Families Together Adoption Project.
For a print copy check our publications section.

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