What is developmental delay?

Developmental Delay is when your child does not attain their developmental milestones at the predictable times. It is an unending major or minor delay in the process of development. If your child is temporarily lagging behind, that is not called developmental delay. Delay can occur in one or many areas—for example, gross or fine motor, language, social, or thinking skills.

Developmental Delay is most often a diagnosis made by a doctor based on strict guidelines. Usually, though, the parent is the first to notice that their child is not progressing at the same rate as other children the same age.

If you think your child may be “slow,” or “seems behind,” talk with your child’s doctor about it. In some cases, your pediatrician might pick up a delay during an office visit. It will probably take several visits and possibly a referral to a developmental specialist to be sure that the delay is not just a temporary lag. Your child’s doctor may use a set of screening tools during regular well-child visits.

The first three years of a child’s life are an amazing time of development…

…and what happens during those years stays with a child for a lifetime. That’s why it’s so important to watch for signs of delays in development, and to get help if you suspect problems. The sooner a delayed child gets early intervention, the better their progress will be. So, if you have concerns, act early.

What causes developmental delay?

Developmental delay can have many different causes, such as genetic causes (like Down syndrome), or complications of pregnancy and birth (like prematurely or infections). Often, however, the specific cause is unknown. Some causes can be easily reversed if caught early enough, such as hearing loss from chronic ear infections, or lead poisoning.

What should I do if I suspect my child has developmental delay? If you think your child may be delayed, you should take them to their primary care provider, or to a developmental and behavioral pediatrician or pediatric neurologist. An alternative to seeing a specialist is to work through your local school system (see below). If your child seems to be losing ground—in other words, starts to not be able to do things they could do in the past—you should have them seen right away. If your child is developmentally delayed, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin connecting to developmental services and a medical plan if needed—and the better your child’s progress will be.

On the off chance that you have concerns, act early. What can Nishtha Special School do for my child?

The purpose of an evaluation in our school is to find out why your child is not meeting his developmental milestones or not doing well in school. A team of professionals will work with you to evaluate your child.

Basics for Parents: Your Child’s Evaluation explains what parents of school-aged kids need to know about the evaluation process.

If testing shows your child has developmental delay, then our school will start your child in either an early intervention or a special education program, depending on your child’s age.