Variety of conditions that become apparent during childhood and cause mental or physical limitation. These conditions include autism, cerebral palsyⁱ, epilepsyⁱ, mental retardationⁱ, and other neurological impairmentsⁱ. People with developmental disabilitiesⁱ may not learn as quickly as others or express themselves clearly. Others may have limited ability to take care of their physical needs or limited mobility. Many have more than one disability.

Developmental disabilities have a variety of causes, which can occur before, during or after birth. Those occurring before birth include genetic problems, poor prenatal care or exposure of the fetus to toxic elements, drugs or alcohol. Occurrences during birth, such as a cut off of oxygen to the baby, or accidents after birth, like car accidents causing traumatic brain injury, also can cause developmental disabilities.