Planning: Access

Access to DD Services

Application for services for people with developmental disabilities is made at your local Developmental Disability Services office. The developmental disability office is usually a part of the Community Mental Health and Developmental Disability Program (CMHDDP). The Developmental Disability Service Coordinators will work with you to find out whether you (or your family member) is eligible for services.

Eligibility Rules

The State of Oregon's eligibility rules for DD Services are stated in several of Oregon Administrative Rules, at 411-320-0020 Definitions Section, and at 411-320-0080 (Diagnosis and Eligibility Determination section.)

Some of the text of the definition of the term, "developmental disability" is reproduced below:
OAR 411-320-0020
(23) "Developmental disability for adults" means a disability attributable to mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or other neurological handicapping condition that requires training or support similar to that required by individuals with mental retardation, and the disability:

(a) Originates before the individual attains the age of 22 years, except that in the case of mental retardation, the condition must be manifested before the age of 18; and

(b) Has continued, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely; and

(d) The condition or impairment must not be otherwise primarily attributed to mental illness, substance abuse, an emotional disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability, or sensory impairment; or

(e) Results in significant sub-average general intellectual functioning with concurrent deficits in adaptive behavior that are manifested during the developmental period. Individuals of borderline intelligence may be considered to have mental retardation if there is also serious impairment of adaptive behavior. Definitions and classifications must be consistent with the "Manual of Terminology and Classification in Mental Retardation" by the American Association on Mental Deficiency, 1977 Revision. Mental retardation is synonymous with mental deficiency.

(24) "Developmental disability for children five years and younger" means the condition or impairment must not be otherwise primarily attributed to mental illness, substance abuse, an emotional disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability, or sensory impairment; and be expected to last indefinitely, is always provisional; AND

(a) There is a standardized test demonstrating significant adaptive impairment, (more than two standard deviations below the norm), in at least two of the following areas of functioning: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility and self-direction; OR

(b) There is a statement by a licensed medical practitioner that the child has a condition or syndrome that will likely cause significant adaptive impairment in at least two of the areas listed in OAR 411-320-0020(21).

(25) "Developmental disability for children six years and older," is always provisional and means:

(a) There is a diagnosis of mental retardation; OR

(b) There is a diagnosis of developmental disability; AND

(A) There is a significant adaptive impairment, (more than two standard deviations below the norm), in at least two of the following areas: Self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction; AND

(B) The condition or impairment must be expected to last indefinitely and must not be otherwise primarily attributed to mental illness, substance abuse, an emotional disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability, or sensory impairment; AND