Developmental delay is the term used when a young child is slower to reach milestones than other children. Delay may occur in the way a child moves, communicates, thinks and learns, or behaves with others.
Professionals usually only use the term developmental delay until the cause of the delay is identified. A delay may be transient (temporary) or persistent (permanent). Persistent developmental delays are also called ‘developmental disabilities’. These can be signs of more serious conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental disorders or delay including language delay, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and autism.
Like other children, children with developmental delay continue to learn, but they take longer to acquire new skills and may learn in slightly different ways. For example, most children can learn skills quickly and by example whereas children with developmental delay may need to be shown skills in smaller, simpler steps and have more opportunities to practise.
The following professionals can help: general practitioner, child health nurse, paediatrician, audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, social worker, specialist teachers, speech pathologist.
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