The Lanterman Act says people with “disabling conditions that are solely physical” are not eligible for regional center services.^[1]Section 4512(a).

The Department of Developmental Services defines conditions that are solely physical as including congenital anomalies or conditions acquired through disease, accident, or faulty development, not associated with a neurological impairment, that results in a need for treatment similar to that required for intellectual disability.^[2]Title 17, Cal. Code of Regs., section 54000(c)(3). In other words, physical conditions with the brain are not excluded from being developmental disabilities. People with cerebral palsy may have only physical disabilities and no intellectual impairment. As long as their condition causes a substantial disability, they are eligible for regional center because the Lanterman Act names cerebral palsy. But muscular dystrophy, by itself, even if it results in a substantial disability, does not qualify a person for regional center.