Developmental Disabilities Act

United States [1963]

Also known as: Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act(Show More)

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July 21, 2026

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The Developmental Disabilities Act, originating in the United States in the 1960s, formalized the concept of "developmental disability." This term replaced "mental retardation" and was initially defined as a disability stemming from intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or other neurological conditions originating before age 18. Over time, the definition expanded to include conditions like autism and dyslexia.1

The act's focus shifted towards a non-categorical approach, defining developmental disabilities by functional limitations in major life activities, while maintaining criteria of severity, chronicity, and onset before adulthood. This legislation, along with the broader Americans with Disabilities Act, aims to ensure civil rights protections and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion and community-based support rather than segregated care.123

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developmental disability
The concept of developmental disability
…(later known generally as the Developmental Disabilities Act), the term developmental disability was used in place of mental retardation. When the act was reauthorized in 1970, the two terms appeared together, where developmental disability was defined as a “disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another neurological condition”…
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…(later known generally as the Developmental Disabilities Act), the term developmental disability was used in place of mental retardation. When the act was reauthorized in 1970, the two terms appeared together, where developmental disability was defined as a “disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another neurological condition”…
Read More