Developmental Delay

Question 1

What is global developmental delay?

Answer 1

Global developmental delay refers to a child displaying slow development in all developmental domains.

Question 2

Give examples of global developmental delay

Answer 2

• Down’s syndrome
• Fragile X syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Rett syndrome
• Metabolic disorders

Question 3

Give examples of gross motor delay

Answer 3

• Cerebral palsy
• Ataxia
• Myopathy
• Spina bifida
• Visual impairment

Question 4

Give examples of fine motor delay

Answer 4

• Dyspraxia
• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Visual impairment
• Congenital ataxia (rare)

Question 5

Give examples of language delay

Answer 5

• Specific social circumstances, for example exposure to multiple languages or siblings that do all the talking
• Hearing impairment
• Learning disability
• Neglect
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy

Question 6

Briefly describe how language delay is managed

Answer 6

Management of language delay involves a referral to speech and language, audiology and the health visitor. Referral to safeguarding is required if neglect is a concern.

Question 7

Give examples of personal and social delay

Answer 7

• Emotional and social neglect
• Parenting issues
• Autism

Question 8

What screening tool is used to assess child development?

Answer 8

The Denver Developmental Screening test is used as a relatively quick test of children’s abilities and as an assessment of whether they have achieved their age-appropriate developmental milestones.

Question 9

What are the red flags indicating developmental delay?

Answer 9

There are certain red flags for things that would suggest there is a problem:

• Lost developmental milestones
• Not able to hold an object at 5 months
• Not sitting unsupported at 12 months
• Not standing independently at 18 months
• Not walking independently at 2 years
• Not running at 2.5 years
• No words at 18 months
• No interest in others at 18 months