Babies and children not developing as quickly as their peers may suffer from developmental delays. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that a 3-year-old with limited interest in toys or who does not follow simple directions, may be at risk for developmental delays. Characteristics of developmental delays involve movement, speech and social interaction.
Gross Motor Delays
A child with gross motor delays exhibits challenges using the large muscle groups that assist a person to walk, run, stand, sit, change positions and maintain balance. One example of gross motor delays is a 5-year-old with difficulties walking and running, states the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Children spending the first years of their lives in an orphanage, restricted to a crib, may develop gross motor deficits, one characteristic of developmental delays.
Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor--also called physical motor--skills determine people's ability to write, draw, eat and dress themselves, notes MyChildWithoutLimits.org. Young children might practice stringing beads to improve their fine motor skills. Difficulties with handwriting might be one characteristic of someone facing developmental delays related to vision loss or cerebral palsy.
Cognitive Delays
One characteristic of developmental delays is cognitive difficulties, says MyChildWithoutLimits.org. A child or adult who struggles with reasoning, learning, problem solving, remembering or understanding may, for example, have developmental delays due to Down syndrome or Fragile x syndrome.
Language Delays
Issues with verbal communication, body language, gestures and understanding what others are saying, may indicate developmental delays. Children with Down syndrome may have delayed verbal skills, explains MyChildWithoutLimits.org. Hearing loss also causes language delays.
Social Delays
Social difficulties may prove another characteristic of developmental delays. An individual challenged in interacting with others, developing relationships with family and friends, cooperation and emotional connection suffers from social delays. This type of developmental delay may result because of autism, Down syndrome or other issues, notes MyChildWithoutLimits.org.
References
- "A Parent's Guide to Developmental Delays: Recognizing and Coping with Missed Milestones in Speech, Movement, Learning, andOther Areas"; Laurie Fivozinsky LeComer; 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Developmental Milestones
- MyChildWithoutLimits.org: Understand Your Child's Development
- University of Michigan Health System: Developmental Delays
- National Institute on Developmental Delays
