Developmental Delay (DD)

Do you feel that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones? It is critical that you have your child regularly evaluated for developmental delay at their child well visits (at 9 months, 18 months, and 24 or 30 months). Getting an early diagnosis can connect you to other professionals who can help your child and reduce the risk of long-term developmental disability.

There are four categories of delayed development that your child may experience: cognitive, sensorimotor, speech and language, and socioemotional. This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights major areas to discuss with your pediatrician during their well-visit. It is very important you track your child’s specific milestones to monitor for any delays!

Cognitive Delay: delayed cognitive milestones for the child’s age

  • Delayed tracking (following objects with their eyes)

  • Delayed attention with their environment (i.e., lack of interest in surroundings)

  • Difficulty expressing when they are hungry

  • Delayed problem solving-skills 

  • Difficulty following simple instructions

  • Delayed reading and writing skills (i.e., counting, time, writing their name)

Sensorimotor Delay:  delayed sensory and motor milestones for the child's age

  • Delayed sitting, crawling, standing, cruising, and or walking

  • Delayed fine motor and gross motor skills

  • Weakened muscles of head/neck/core impacting engagement with their environment

  • Delayed play skills with others (parents and peers)

Speech and Language Delay: delayed communication milestones for the child’s age

  • Difficulty articulating specific words or sounds correctly

  • Stuttering of words or sentences

  • Delayed babbling

  • Delayed processing when being spoken to (i.e, not turning head to sound)

  • Delayed response time when speaking

  • Delayed non-verbal communication

  • Minimal vocabulary for their age

  • Frustration with not being able to express themselves leading to acting out or withdrawing

Socioemotional Delay: delayed socioemotional milestones for the child’s age

  • Delayed self-regulation skills

  • Delayed attention and engagement with others (i.e., not smiling, laughing to get the attention of others)

  • Delayed facial expressions

Note: If your child is under the age of 5 years and experiences delays in two or more developmental domains this is known as global developmental delay (GDD).