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Developmentally Delayed Children: A Parent Guide to Early Identification & Treatment
Some experts believe that as many as 30% of American children show signs of developmental delay. Delays in walking, talking and eating skills can be overcome as a child continues to grow and mature. However, some delays may mark the presence of mild or serious developmental disabilities. In turn, these delays can limit a child’s ability to develop the skills needed to function in society.
Children whose delays go undetected and untreated are “at risk” to experience a variety of problems that may persist a lifetime. Conversely, children whose delays are identified and treated early have an increased chance to master or gain more control over their disabilities. Therefore, early identification and treatment are very important factors in determining the long-term potential for developmental delayed children.
It is important, however, to sound a note of caution. Some professionals rightfully warn that it may be detrimental to place too much pressure on preschool children to perform in certain ways at certain ages. After all, children develop at different rates and have differing levels of ability. Because a child is not functioning at an expected level of performance does not necessarily mean that he or she is developmentally delayed. There may be other reasons for the lag in development.
Nonetheless, parents, educators, health and childcare professionals need some parameters by which to identify the potential for a developmental delay. It is sometimes wiser to err on the side of caution than to ignore or deny the possibility that a child’s functioning may be handicapped.
There are certain symptoms that may indicate a developmental delay. For example, a three-month-old infant should react to sudden noises; a one-year-old should be able to say “mama” and “dada,” and a two-year-old should be able to name common objects like milk or water. Children who cannot perform these tasks by an appropriate age may be developmentally delayed. The intervention of a professional may help to determine whether a child is developmentally delayed and, if so, the cause of the delay and how to treat it.
Children whose delays go undetected and untreated are “at risk” to experience a variety of problems that may persist a lifetime. Conversely, children whose delays are identified and treated early have an increased chance to master or gain more control over their disabilities. Therefore, early identification and treatment are very important factors in determining the long-term potential for developmental delayed children.
It is important, however, to sound a note of caution. Some professionals rightfully warn that it may be detrimental to place too much pressure on preschool children to perform in certain ways at certain ages. After all, children develop at different rates and have differing levels of ability. Because a child is not functioning at an expected level of performance does not necessarily mean that he or she is developmentally delayed. There may be other reasons for the lag in development.
Nonetheless, parents, educators, health and childcare professionals need some parameters by which to identify the potential for a developmental delay. It is sometimes wiser to err on the side of caution than to ignore or deny the possibility that a child’s functioning may be handicapped.
There are certain symptoms that may indicate a developmental delay. For example, a three-month-old infant should react to sudden noises; a one-year-old should be able to say “mama” and “dada,” and a two-year-old should be able to name common objects like milk or water. Children who cannot perform these tasks by an appropriate age may be developmentally delayed. The intervention of a professional may help to determine whether a child is developmentally delayed and, if so, the cause of the delay and how to treat it.
19 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2010
1 person want to read
About the author
Waln K. Brown
160 books3 followersWaln K. Brown, Ph.D.
Dr. Waln Brown was born in York, Pennsylvania, a "surprise" child of ill-matched parents who did the "right thing" and got married. For the next 11 years, they fought constantly, creating an unhealthy environment that adversely affected Waln emotionally and behaviorally. Rejected by his father for "ruining his life," and confused by his mother's obsessive-compulsive disorder of washing him in her "crazy clean" solution of Lysol and ammonia, Waln began a pattern of acting out that led to placement in an orphanage, juvenile detention home, state psychiatric hospital and juvenile reform school. A terrible student who spent 8th grade in special education, failed the ninth grade and graduated 187th in a class of 192 students, Waln earned an A.S. degree from York College of Pennsylvania, B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University (summa cum laude) and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He held positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the National Center for Juvenile Justice and the Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago. Waln is the CEO of the William Gladden Foundation and the author of over 240 books, articles and popular publications about youth and family issues.
Dr. Waln Brown was born in York, Pennsylvania, a "surprise" child of ill-matched parents who did the "right thing" and got married. For the next 11 years, they fought constantly, creating an unhealthy environment that adversely affected Waln emotionally and behaviorally. Rejected by his father for "ruining his life," and confused by his mother's obsessive-compulsive disorder of washing him in her "crazy clean" solution of Lysol and ammonia, Waln began a pattern of acting out that led to placement in an orphanage, juvenile detention home, state psychiatric hospital and juvenile reform school. A terrible student who spent 8th grade in special education, failed the ninth grade and graduated 187th in a class of 192 students, Waln earned an A.S. degree from York College of Pennsylvania, B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University (summa cum laude) and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He held positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the National Center for Juvenile Justice and the Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago. Waln is the CEO of the William Gladden Foundation and the author of over 240 books, articles and popular publications about youth and family issues.
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