When I notice my son’s behavior, I always assume that he has a delayed in development both in physical and behavior aspect since he is born prematurely. I and my husband think that he will eventually catch up. But after 2 years of waiting, my son is still not able to walk in his own and not be able to follow simple instruction and cannot respond to his name. I feel nervous as I search the condition of my son and the word autism terrified me. I asked my husband to make an appointment to developmental pediatrician to evaluate our son and finally his diagnosis is Global Development Delay. I asked the developmental pediatrician if it is possible also that my son is autistic and He said that it is too early to assume autism since my son is only 30 months old. He advises him to have a Occupational Therapy for the behavior and Speech Therapy for communication skills for 6 months and he will evaluate again for another diagnosis.
Difference between Global Development Delay and Autism
As I read about global development delay and autism, I think global development delay is a delay in development and if they are behind in reaching milestones. While autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition which affects how an individual communicate and relate to other people. Also, ASD is a pattern of issues is specific areas.
Kids have certain delays in some particular areas including speech which sometimes it is hard to distinguish from autistic kids. Kids with delay speech have also a problem in terms of social skills because they did not know how to use appropriate language. But of course, a child with speech delays may not displays some autistic behavior including repetitive behaviors; focus on object rather than people, lack of eye contact, lack of response to name, does not express emotion, no pretend play, unusual sensory interest and many other behaviors.
Children with delayed speech can respond to praise, imitate and engage in pretend play as well as uses gestures such as pointing to object but children with autism may not point object and not have facial expression, not responds to name and no eye contact.
Anyway, whatever the diagnosis of the expert, both global development delay and autism needs to have early intervention so that these children may catch up and improved their behavioral issues.
If you notice some delay of your children better to make an appointment to development pediatrician as early possible and have early intervention.