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Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals
with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

What are Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities?

family

The New Jersey system of care comprises several state departments and offices that offer programs and services for individuals with disabilities of all kinds. The Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families focuses on assisting individuals and families who specifically have intellectual or developmental disabilities. This page explains what intellectual and developmental disabilities are and provides resources that explain government support programs that have specific eligibility requirements based on these disabilities.

What are Developmental Disabilities:

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime.
—US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What are Intellectual Disabilities:

Intellectual disabilities start any time before a child turns 18 and are characterized by deficits in intellectual functioning or intelligence and adaptive behavior. Intellectual functioning or intelligence includes the ability to learn, reason, and problem-solve. Adaptive behavior includes everyday social and life skills.
—US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

New Jersey State Government Resources

NJ Department of Human Services

The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has eight Divisions and a number of programs that offer a range of services and supports, including those related to individuals with disabilities. DHS manages programs for families with low income, food assistance, child care, healthcare, addiction support, mental health services, independent living supports, personal care services, and health insurance through NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid).

NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities

The NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) defines developmental disability as a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

  1. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments
  2. Manifests before age 22
  3. Is likely to continue indefinitely
  4. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major activities of daily living:
    1. Self-care
    2. Receptive and expressive language
    3. Learning
    4. Mobility
    5. Self-direction
    6. Capacity for independent living
    7. Economic self-sufficiency
  5. Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services, which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated

Examples of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities:

  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Epilepsy
  • Spina Bifida
  • Down Syndrome
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury *
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Apert Syndrome
  • Williams Syndrome
  • Phenylketonuria

* Manifests before age 22

Conditions that do not independently meet the criteria of developmental disability include, but are not limited to:

  • Education classification of a neurological impairment
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Learning Disability
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Mental Health Diagnosis
Last Updated: Wednesday, 01/28/26
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