In order to qualify for supports and services, a person must have a developmental disability as defined by the Developmental Disability Law in Louisiana Revised Statute 28:451.2.

Developmental disability means either:

• A severe, chronic disability of a person that:
  • Is attributable to an intellectual or physical impairment or combination of intellectual and physical impairments.
  • Is manifested before the person reaches age 22.
  • Is likely to continue indefinitely.
  • Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
    • Self-care
    • Receptive and expressive language
    • Learning
    • Mobility
    • Self-direction
    • Capacity for independent living
    • Economic self-sufficiency
    • Is not attributed solely to mental illness
    • Reflects the person's 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, OR
• A substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition in a person from birth through age nine which, without services and support, has a high probability of resulting in those criteria (listed above) later in life that may be considered to be a developmental disability.