What is Developmental Delay ?
Developmental Delay Disorder refers to a condition where a child does not reach developmental milestones at the expected times. These delays can affect one or more areas of a child’s development and may be temporary or indicate a more long-term condition such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, or Cerebral Palsy.
It is typically diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, usually before age 5.
A developmental delay means a child is behind in achieving skills that are expected for their age. These delays are categorized into five key domains:
Cognitive Skills – Thinking, learning, problem-solving
Motor Skills – Gross motor (sitting, walking) and fine motor (grasping, drawing)
Language and Speech – Understanding language, using words, forming sentences
Social and Emotional Skills – Interacting with others, managing emotions
Activities of Daily Living – Feeding, dressing, toileting
Cognitive Skills – Thinking, learning, problem-solving
Motor Skills – Gross motor (sitting, walking) and fine motor (grasping, drawing)
Language and Speech – Understanding language, using words, forming sentences
Social and Emotional Skills – Interacting with others, managing emotions
Activities of Daily Living – Feeding, dressing, toileting