Global Developmental Delay (GDD) can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. It affects the major areas of the development of a child, in which they have trouble with communication and skills.
It is a generally used to describe any delay between birth and 18 years old.
There are many possible causes of GDD, including:
- Premature birth
- Chromosomal condition such as Fragile X
- Metabolic conditions – thyroid function
- Vision or hearing loss
- Speech and language difficulties
- Injuries or infections of the brain such as head injury or meningitis
What are the signs or symptoms that a child can have for Global Developmental Delay?
There are five areas as a parent you will want to watch out for, and if you are unsure, seek the opinion of a professional healthcare specialist or paediatrician.
Compared to their peers, are they experiencing the following:
- Cognitive:
- Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking
- Difficulty remembering information
- Poor attention and concentration
- Motor skills:
- Trouble with everyday movement such as crawling, walking, jumping, or balancing
- Difficulty grasping and holding onto objects, using utensils, or manipulating small items
- Poor coordination and clumsiness
- Language:
- Difficulty in speech and pronunciations
- Limited vocabulary compared to peers
- Difficulty understanding spoken language or following directions
- Problems with pronunciation or articulation
- Social-emotional:
- Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships with their peers
- Trouble understanding and expressing emotions appropriately
- Challenges with social skills, such as making eye contact or taking turns
- Behavioral problems, including aggression, withdrawal, or tantrums
- Adaptive functioning:
- Delays in self-help skills, such as dressing, feeding, or toileting
- Difficulty adapting to new situations or environments
- Struggles with daily routines and following schedules
