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Global
developmental delay refers to a delay in two or more important areas of development . These areas include motor skills, speech and language
skills, academic skills, learning ability, social and emotional
skills and self help skills. When developmental delay is suspected,
psychological assessment forms only a small part of the child's
overall evaluation. In order to identify the causal and maintaining
factors, medical and psychological assessments are
necessary.
How is Global Developmental Delay
Recognised?
Global developmental delay is often
identified during infancy as part of the regular health
checks. From very early on, children are expected to reach
developmental milestones within each key areas. For
example, some of the motor skills include rolling over,
sitting up, walking and picking up small objects. Speech and
language skills include identifying sounds and speech, bubbling,
imitating speech and finally talking. Academic skills include
memory and learning. Finally, some of the social and self
help skills include exploration, interacting with
others and skills such as eating and dressing. When
first noticed that children fail to reach these
developmental milestones, further tests are needed to evaluate the
extent of delay and the areas of concern.
Causes of
Developmental Delay
The causes of developmental delay
vary considerably and are not always known. In most cases,
developmental delay is related to some form of neurological
abnormality. This may be due to genetic or heredity disorders (such
as Down Syndrome) or other developmental disorders that affect the
nervous system (such as Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida). Other
causes include premature birth, infections or various metabolic
diseases.
Testing Global Developmental
Delay
Once suspected, tests can confirm the presence of
developmental delay. Since the causes can be numerous,
the diagnostic tests aim to cover broad areas and may
include:
- Metabolic tests and screening
- Genetic (Chromosome) testing
- Hearing and
vision test
- Lead screening
- Thyroid
screening
- Electroencephalography (EEG), Computed
tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
-
Psychological assessment
Psychological
assessment
Psychological assessment
often involves an in depth interview with the parent(s) and
possibly a psychological assessment of the parent(s) as well.
Parents are also asked to complete structured questionnaires about
their children's functioning, including observations of playground
behaviour, interaction with other children and various skills
children are expected to perform at certain ages (e.g., tying shoe
laces, dressing independently). Children are tested for
motor skills, academic skills and language
skills.
How is Developmental Delay
Treated?
Early assessment and identification of
possible causes can help. When medical conditions that cause
developmental delay are treated, usually children's functioning
improve substantially. When causes are unknown or not treatable (as
in genetic disorders) it is important to put appropriate plans in
place to maximise children's potential and to ensure a good
quality of life.
Even if not treatable, children with
developmental delay should enjoy the opportunities to discover what
they are able to do and what it is that they are good at.
Developing a healthy sense of self esteem should
be priority when future plans are
implemented.
What We
Offer
At CPAC we offer a
professional approach to diagnose developmental delay. We test for
global and specific developmental delay and screen at risk children. If
we identify global developmental delay, we
will refer you to appropriate medical
professionals to carry out further medical tests. If your child
is at risk, we will help you and work together
with other professionals to design the
best possible treatment plan for your child.
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