A developmental delays means that your son or daughter may be a little behind in skills. These kids can have delays in one or more areas of development. Parents often worries and upsets when they see other kids passing milestone before their child does. Not meeting milestones in children may or may not be a sign that your child has a developmental delay. Some children do not develop skills on a strict timetable like for instance, some babies start walking as early as nine (9) months while others take their first steps until fifteen (15) or eighteen (18) months. But these children are within the range of typical development. Short-lived delays are not cause for concern because each child catch up on their own. However, developmental delay is more than just being slower to develop or a little behind but it means a child is continually behind doing things other kid his age can.
Global developmental delay is when kids have delays in at least two areas of development. These areas of development includes Cognitive skills, Social and emotional skills, Speech and language skills, Fine and gross motor skills and Activities of daily living.
Children develop skills the following areas of development
1. Cognitive skills or Thinking skills. This is the ability to think, learn and solve problems.
2. Social and emotional skills. This is the ability to relate to other people.
3. Speech and language skills. This is the ability to use and understand language.
4. Fine and gross motor skills. This is the ability to use small muscles or fine motor, particularly in the hands, and large muscles or gross motor in the body.
5. Activities of daily living. This is the ability to handle everyday tasks
If you notice that your child has signs of developmental delays, bring your child to developmental pediatrician right away. Record and take down notes about the skills you see and do not see in your child. These observation is helpful when talking to your doctors. Your doctor may advise you to bring your child to Developmental Pediatrician for further evaluation and screening. Treatment for Global Developmental Delays includes occupational and behavioral therapy, speech and language therapy and early intervention program.