Developmental delays refer to a child's delay in meeting expected milestones in their early years. These delays may relate to motor, social, language or cognition skills and abilities. Some delays may be temporary, such as hearing loss due to chronic ear infections. Other delays may be lifelong, such as Down syndrome or autism. In all cases, early diagnosis and intervention increases the chance to mitigate the effects. Coping with a child diagnosed with a developmental delay generates stress and grief. The family, extended family and friends may feel overwhelmed and confused.
Step 1
Research all of the options to help your child mitigate the developmental delays. Visit your child's pediatrician if you suspect developmental delays and ask for an evaluation. Contact the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, also known as NICHCY. They offer information to all sectors of society regarding disabilities in children and youths from birth to age 22. With guidance from your child's doctor or a developmental specialist, consider counseling, training and therapy.
Step 2
Create a family plan that integrates all the needed therapies into regular family activities. It is easy, especially during the early months of learning your child has a developmental delay, to feel overwhelmed and unable to focus. A family plan or schedule establishes routines that guide everyone each day. Use the plan as a family blueprint, but create enough flexibility to integrate new activities and changes in daily routines.
Step 3
Establish opportunities for respite. The energy and commitment required to assist a developmentally delayed child drains energy from parents and siblings. Contact your local social services agency regarding respite services. Find a trained respite provider who will care for your developmentally delayed child for a few days or a weekend. Families need occasional breaks from the stress in order to operate at their best when their child is home.
Step 4
Form a support system to aid the family. Look for community support groups or online support communities. Investigate programs for siblings that allow them to share their worries and frustrations in a safe, supportive setting. Ask extended family, friends, neighbors and your faith community for help with such things as transportation and meals.
Step 5
Work with your child's school system to create academic supports through the creation of an individualized education plan (IEP). Children with developmental delays receive academic assistance, as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law. Some children may require specialized services for a few years, while others may need support throughout their school years.
Step 6
Acknowledge issues of grief, loss and disappointment. Parents may require assistance reevaluating their plans and dreams for the child. Siblings may need help understanding the limitations and abilities of their developmentally delayed brother or sister. The developmentally delayed child may require support and strategies to understand their disability.
