Does your baby still smile at you? Or does it seem like he's late to roll over or walk like other babies? It's very normal for a mother or father to be a little curious, and sometimes a little scared, about their child's development. It's natural to compare your child to other children. So, to find answers to these questions in your mind, let's talk today about this developmental delay, that is, 'developmental delay'.
What exactly is developmental delay?
Simply put, developmental delay means that your child is late in reaching certain developmental milestones compared to other children their age.
Now, what are these development milestones? Just think...
- The first time a baby looks at you and smiles.
- Turning the neck and rolling over.
- Trying to stand holding onto something.
- Waving your hand and saying "Tata".
- The first step is to have it.
- Saying a first word like "mom" or "dad".
These are what we call developmental milestones. They apply to all areas of play, learning, speaking, behavior, and movement.
But here's something very important to remember. Not all children are the same. Some children walk a little earlier, others a little later. It's like not everyone crosses the finish line at the same time in a race. So, just because your child is a little late in something doesn't always mean he or she has a developmental delay.
We only call a child developmental delay when he or she consistently delays doing things that are expected of a child at a certain age.
What are the main aspects of a child's development?
A child's growth doesn't just mean that he or she grows physically. At the same time, many things develop, such as his or her brain, emotions, communication skills, and social skills. Let's break down these areas of development into several main areas. These are the main areas where delays can be seen.
| Area of Development | What's going on here? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Skills | This includes things like thinking, learning new things, and understanding information. A child with a delay in this area may have difficulty following instructions and solving problems. |
| Social and Emotional Skills | The ability to get along with others, express their feelings, and communicate their needs. A child with a delay in this area may have difficulty understanding the feelings of others, maintaining a conversation, and adjusting to changes in daily routines. |
| Speech and Language Skills | Using and understanding language. A child with a delay in this area may have difficulty speaking words or understanding what others are saying. |
| Fine and Gross Motor Skills | The ability to control the small muscles (e.g., fingers) and large muscles (e.g., legs, arms) of the body. A child with fine motor delays may have difficulty grasping, coloring, and writing. A child with gross motor delays may have difficulty rolling over, sitting up, and walking. |
What is Global Developmental Delay?
Sometimes a child may have a delay in just one area. For example, they may only be late in speaking. However, if there is a significant delay in two or more of these key areas we just discussed, doctors call the condition Global Developmental Delay .
Is this related to autism? What is the difference between the two?
This is a question that many parents have. There are two types of developmental delays, and there are also developmental disabilities like Autism Spectrum Disorder .
- Developmental Delay: This is when a child is a little slower than other children to develop certain skills. Like a child who is a little late in catching up in class. However, if identified early and given the necessary support, that is, treatment and training (early intervention), these children can usually catch up with their peers.
- Developmental Disabilities: Conditions like autism fall into this category. These are not things that go away on their own over time, but are usually lifelong conditions. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects brain development. Children with autism may have difficulty interacting with others, communicating, and interacting socially.
Sometimes it can be difficult to immediately tell whether a child has a developmental delay or a condition like autism.
The most important thing is that, no matter what the problem is, identifying it early and providing the child with the help they need is very important for their future.
What are the symptoms of developmental delay?
The symptoms of developmental delay vary depending on the area affected. These are some of the things you may notice when you are caring for your child.
- Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking are delayed.
- Difficulty holding small objects with your fingers, holding a pencil, and coloring.
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying.
- When a problem arises, it's hard to think of a way to solve it.
- Difficulty playing with other children and being social.
- Delayed speech or difficulty speaking.
- Difficulty remembering things.
- Not being able to understand the consequences of one's actions.
Don't be alarmed by one or two of these symptoms. But if you keep seeing several of these things, it's best to talk to your doctor about it.
Why do children have such delays?
To be honest, it's often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of developmental delays. However, there are several factors that can contribute to some cases.
- Genetic factors: Some genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome, can cause developmental delays.
- Other and environmental factors:
- Exposure of the mother to toxic substances during pregnancy: Exposure to things like alcohol and drugs.
- Exposure to toxins after birth: Ingestion of substances such as lead.
- Premature birth.
- Low birth weight.
- Insufficient oxygen at birth.
- Lack of proper nutrition.
- Health conditions such as frequent ear infections and vision problems.
- The child has been subjected to severe trauma (e.g. child abuse).
How does the doctor find this? (Developmental screening)
The method doctors use to check your child's development is called developmental screening . This is not a blood test or a lab test.
Usually when you take your child to the clinic, the doctor will do this test. What happens there:
- The doctor is asking you questions about the baby.
- We talk and play with the child and observe how he learns, speaks, behaves, and moves.
- Maybe you can even be given a questionnaire to fill out.
This test will help the doctor understand whether your child's development is normal, or whether he or she needs additional support or further testing. Since every child is different, the doctor will look at the child's overall condition and come to a conclusion.
Why is this test important?
If a delay is not identified early, it will be too late for the child to get the help they need. This can make it harder for them to learn, and the delay may become even greater. The sooner the child receives help, the better their future will be.
If I find out my child has a delay, what happens next?
If your doctor identifies a delay in your child's development, he or she may refer your child to other specialists or therapists. These may include:
- A hearing specialist
- A speech therapist
- A developmental pediatrician
- A neurologist
- Providers of early intervention services
Let's learn about the important services called Early Intervention.
Early Intervention Services are specialized support services for infants and young children (usually up to 3 years of age) with specific developmental challenges. These services provide treatment and training that are necessary for the child's development.
Children who receive help from these services include:
- Premature babies
- Children with various health problems
- Children with delays in speaking, thinking, playing, or moving
- Including children with vision or hearing difficulties.
If your child qualifies for these services, the team of specialists will create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) . That is, a plan tailored to the needs of your child and family. This plan may include services such as:
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Family counseling and training
- Nutrition services
- Special equipment required (Assistive technology)
How can you as a parent help your child?
If your child has a developmental delay, there are many things you can do as a parent, in addition to medical treatment.
1. Play with your child: Playing develops a child's various skills. For example, playing with things like play-dough develops fine motor skills. Playing on a playground develops physical skills as well as social skills. Playing with others develops language skills.
2. Read books with your child: Reading books to your child is a great way to develop their language skills. The more words a child hears, the more words they learn.
3. Limit Screen Time: Children learn best not by watching TV or playing video games, but by interacting with others face to face. It is very important to limit young children's screen time to no more than one hour a day.
4. Make a schedule: When you put the daily activities on a schedule with pictures, it is easier for the child to follow the instructions and understand the daily routine.
5. Stay in touch with doctors and therapists: Talk to the doctors and therapists who are helping your child regularly. Ask them about your child's progress and what you can do at home.
It's normal to feel sad and scared when you learn that your child has a developmental delay. But remember, with the right treatment and support, your child can thrive and show their talents just like other children. If you have even the slightest doubt, don't delay talking to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Every child develops at their own pace, but it's important to be aware of normal developmental milestones.
- If you have even the slightest doubt or fear about your child's development, definitely talk to your doctor. Don't make decisions based on what you read online.
- Developmental delay is not the same as autism. There is a difference between the two.
- Early intervention is the best key to a child's future success. It is important to provide help as soon as a problem is identified.
- Sometimes you can't find a reason for this. So don't feel bad about it, thinking it's your fault. The most important thing is to give your child the support they need.
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