Which of the following terms can refer to services being offered without the need for a prior referral?

Direct access is the correct term that refers to services being provided without the need for a prior referral from another healthcare professional. This allows patients to seek physical therapy services directly, enabling prompt access to care. This model is becoming increasingly prominent in the healthcare system, as it can improve patient outcomes by reducing barriers to treatment and allowing therapists to assess and manage conditions more immediately.

The other terms do not encapsulate this concept. The disablement process involves understanding the impact of health conditions on a person's ability to perform daily activities and is not directly related to referral practices. Discharge refers to the process of ending care for a patient, typically when they have met their therapy goals or are no longer making progress, while developmental delay pertains to a child's growth lag in certain developmental milestones. Each of these terms relates to different aspects of healthcare and therapy but does not pertain to the access to services without a referral.