Global Developmental Delay

What is global developmental delay??

A Global Developmental Delay is a general term used to describe a condition that occurs during the developmental period of a child's life (birth to age 18). It is usually characterized by lower intellectual functioning and is accompanied by significant limitations in communication, self-care, home living, vocational, academic skills, leisure, health and safety.
Global developmental delay has many different causes which ultimately affect the functioning of the central nervous system (Trauma to the central nervous system, Fetal alcohol syndrome, genetic disorders, metabolic disorders, etc)

Common signs may include:

• delay acquisition of milestones: the child is late in sitting up, crawling, walking
• limited reasoning or conceptual abilities
• fine/gross motor difficulties
• poor social skills/judgment
• aggressive behaviour as a coping skill
• communication problems