If the other babies in your play group have started to toddle and your baby is still on all fours, you might worry that he has a developmental delay. All babies and children develop at different paces; your child, who cannot yet walk, may be ahead of others his age when it comes to fine motor skills such as picking up small objects. Knowing more about developmental delays will help you decide whether you should seek additional help for your baby.
Definition
Although all children are different, they tend to develop in similar patterns. The term "developmental milestones" is used to describe developments in skills or tasks that a child typically should be able to perform at a certain age. For example, according to the National Network for Childcare, a 12-month-old should generally be able to feed herself finger foods and stand unassisted for at least a moment. If she hasn't performed these skills by age 15 months, she may have a developmental delay.
Causes
You may wonder what has caused your child to be delayed. Was it something you did wrong? Probably not. According to the University of Michigan Health System, many factors lead to developmental delays. For example, genetic causes such as Down syndrome, or complications during pregnancy, can lead to developmental delays. Moreover, environmental risks such as poverty, poor nutrition and exposure to toxins like lead increase a child's chances of having developmental delays.
Types
A child can exhibit delays in one or multiple skill areas. He can have delays in gross motor skills such as walking, running and balancing. He can also be slow to develop fine motor skills such as writing, eating and dressing. Other skill areas include language (e.g. speaking, understanding others and using body language), cognitive (e.g. learning, remembering and solving problems) and social (e.g. understanding others' feelings, cooperating with authority figures and interacting with peers).
If You Suspect a Delay
Talk to your child's pediatrician if you believe that your child may be delayed in one or more areas. She can perform a series of diagnostic tests or refer you to a specialist such as a pediatric neurologist, who can provide more specific assistance. Moreover, discuss any concerns or potential delays with your local school system to receive a free evaluation. The sooner a delay is diagnosed, the sooner your child will receive services that will help him progress to his fullest potential.
Coping Strategies
Finding out that your child has a developmental delay can cause you to feel a gamut of emotions, but you and your child can successfully cope by following some strategies. Children, Youth and Women's Health Service online recommends doing everything you can to send your child messages that you love her and are proud of all of her accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. For example, find what she does excel at and make it a focal point in your child's life. If she is good at playing music, signing her up for piano, singing or violin lessons will help her feel pride in herself and encourage her to try other new activities.
