ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the specific etiologies and characteristics of people with various types of developmental disabilities and the supports needed for their optimal functioning. Developmental disabilities is an umbrella term which covers individuals who, for a variety of reasons, experience impaired functioning requiring lifelong support and assistance. Many conditions can result in a developmental disability. Among them are mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Mental retardation is viewed as an expression of the functional impact of the person who has limitations in cognitive and adaptive functioning and the environment. It affects language and the ability to deal with abstract material. One of the most severe developmental disorders, autism has four diagnostic criteria: early onset, before the age of three, and frequently noted shortly after birth; failure to form social relationships; delayed language development; and stereotyped, repetitive patterns of behavior. Cerebral palsy is a type of brain injury that affects individuals differentially, depending the severity and type of injury.
