People with disabilities face many obstacles throughout their lives. There are many things that can be done to ensure that a person with a disability reaches their full potential. People with disabilities face many issues related to lifelong learning such as; initial diagnosis, early intervention, assessments, educational progress and transition programs. Diagnosis of Developmental Disabilities Arnold Gessell developed the milestones at which one progresses through normal development (Cook, Lyon, & Blacher, 2007). Developmental delay is evident when an infant or child fails to reach developmental milestones within a reasonable period of time (Cook, Lyon, & Blacher, 2007). Children develop at varying rates, so the doctor will consider the length of time it takes for a child to reach a milestone before determining whether a delay is evident. An example of a child not reaching a developmental milestone would be if a child did not say any words when he or she was two years old. According to the Center for Disease Control, a baby usually begins saying single words at about eighteen months. Early Intervention Priorities Once a child is diagnosed with a developmental delay, parents may feel guilty and not know where to turn for help. The federal government mandates intervention services for children with disabilities from birth to age five (Brown, 2007). At age three, a child who is retarded or has a genetic disorder will receive intervention in a preschool setting. This setting would help the child reach the milestones needed to enter kindergarten. A program like this helps a child be placed in an inclusive classroom; that would enable the child to succeed in the lea...... middle of paper ......n?qurl=http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/wileyse/curriculum_for_students_with_severe_disabilities/0> "LATE OF DEVELOPMENT." Encyclopedia of Special Education: A reference for the education of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and other exceptional individuals. Np: Wiley, 2007. Creed Reference. January 19, 2010. Web. May 26, 2014. .Hardman, Michael L., Clifford J. Drew, and M. Winston. Egan. Human exceptionalism: school, community and family. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2005. Print."Major Milestones: Your Child at Three." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 27, 2014. Web. May 26 2014. .