Who is Eligible for Services?
To receive services through Developmental Connections or any of its affiliated non-profit organizations an individual must have mental retardation or some other developmental disability. According to state law (Sec. 630.005, RSMo) a qualifying individual’s mental retardation must have occurred before the age of 18, while any other developmental disability must have occurred before age 22. All conditions must be expected to continue indefinitely.

What is a Developmental Disability?
Developmental Disability is defined in Section 205.968, RSMo, as a disability which is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, a learning disability related to a brain dysfunction or a similar condition found by comprehensive evaluations to be closely related to such conditions, or to require habilitation similar to that required for persons with mental retardation; which originated before age 18 and which can be expected to continue indefinitely. It is defined in Section 630.005 RSMo, as a disability which is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, head injury or autism, or a learning disability related to a brain dysfunction; or any other mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments; and is likely to continue indefinitely; and results in substantial functional limitations in two or more of the following areas of major life activity:

·	Self-care
·	Receptive and expressive language development and use
·	Learning
·	Self-direction
·	Capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency
·	Mobility
·	And reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services that are of life-long or extended duration and are individually planned or coordinated.