University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine      

The term developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that:

1. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment of combination of mental and physical impairments;

2. Is manifested before the individual attains age 22;

3. Is likely to continue indefinitely;

4. results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficient; and;

5. Reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or genetic services, supports, or other assistance that is of lifelong or external duration and is individually planned and coordinated,

except that such term when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth to age 5, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities services are not provided.

- Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000

(42 USC 15002 SEC. 102)