Older Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of physical and/or mental impairments that begin anytime up until 22 years of age and are usually life-long. Development disabilities limit a person's capacity to engage in major life activities such as independent living, mobility, language, learning, working, decision making, and self-care. Common diagnoses that often fall under the definition of developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, vision impairment, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are currently about 4 million people in the United States with a developmental disability. This chapter primarily focuses on issues faced by older people with intellectual disabilities.