Developmental Delay Disorders

Developmental delay disorders, such as autism, include delays in one or more areas of child development. Parents are normally the first to identify these disorders. Early, well-designed and intensive intervention can help your child to overcome developmental delays. Unfortunately, many doctors fail to identify these disorders in early childhood, when the child needs intervention the most.

Definition

• Developmental delay disorders involve a child not reaching his developmental milestones at the normal, expected times. Delay can happen in one or more areas of development, including language, motor, thinking or social skills. A doctor usually diagnoses a specific developmental delay disorder based on strict guidelines.

Significance

• According to Pediatrics magazine, around 17 percent of children below the age of 18 have a developmental delay disorder. The Centers for Disease Control report that autism spectrum affects 1 in 150 children. Autism, in fact, is the fastest growing developmental delay disorder in the United States. However, Early Intervention, a federally-funded program to assist those with developmental delays and related disorders, serves only 2.59 percent of children under age three.

Identification

• Parents are normally the first to notice that their child isn't progressing as quickly as other children of the same age group. If you think your child seems behind, or could be "slow," talk to your pediatrician. A pediatrician can identify a delay during an office visit. It will, however, most likely take many visits and perhaps a referral to a specialist to know for certain if your child's delay is just temporary, or if it's permanent (and thus not a disorder, but a developmental disability). A specialist in child development can provide special testing to help identify your child's developmental level.

Intervention

• With early enough and proper intervention, a child can overcome many developmental delays. Well designed, timely and intensive intervention can improve the abilities of many children who are at risk for social, cognitive or emotional impairment. Effective intervention can even improve conditions that were once considered untreatable, like autism. It can lead your child to increased independence, offer him a more fulfilling and productive life, and enable him to be included in his community.

Warning

• Many doctors fail to identify developmental delay disorders in time for a child to receive early intervention services. Birth to age three is a crucial period in a child's development, so a delayed diagnosis can compromise your child's chance of success. If you believe your child has a developmental delay disorder, but the pediatrician disagrees, ask to be referred to a developmental specialist right away to be sure.