A child is considered to have a developmental delay when he does not reach one or more developmental milestones by the expected age. These delays can involve speech, motor and cognitive development. A developmental delay is an ongoing issue that can be addressed by a health professional who specializes in the area of concern. If you feel that your child is experiencing a delay in any area of development, consult with your pediatrician or family health care provider for an accurate analysis.
What Are the Causes?
The causes for delayed development are vast, and vary among children. Some delays can occur as a result of a genetic condition, such as Down Syndrome. Another child may experience delays because of an infection during the pregnancy or complications during birth. Chronic illnesses in early childhood may also lead to a delay in development. In many cases, these may be reversible. And some developmental delays take place for unknown reasons.
What Are the Signs?
There are cases where it is apparent from birth that a child has a high probability of experiencing developmental delays. This may happen in cases of premature births, trauma at birth or the presence of a genetic disorder. Sometimes a pediatrician or family physician will pick up on delays during a routine examination. In other cases, parents are the first to notice that the child is not developing at the same rate as other children in the same age group. If you think your child is not making adequate progress, talk with your pediatrician. Once a physician has had time to follow your child's case and determine if the delay is a real concern or a temporary condition, he may refer you to a specialist or a developmental therapist.
What Can be Done?
One of the most beneficial things that can be done for a developmentally delayed child is to offer continued support and assistance. Fortunately for children with development delays, there are a variety of services available to assist both child and family. Every state in the U.S. offers an early intervention program that helps children with developmental delays from infancy through preschool. Once a child is beyond the appropriate age for early intervention, the school system will step in to assist your child. It can perform an evaluation, at no cost, to determine if your child is in need of special education. Special education programs are designed to meet the educational needs of the individual child. Check with your state to learn more about your rights to services, and how the programs available may benefit your family.
