Developmental Delay, Developmental Screening and Early Intervention
What is Developmental Delay?
Developmental Delay refers to your child’s inability to reach a normal range of developmental milestones by a particular age. These milestones can refer to your child’s physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional or social norms. Your child’s development depends largely on the nutritional, medical, emotional, and intellectual support of his/her parents, family and the community. Approximately 17 % of children in the United States have some form of developmental delay (e.g. Autism, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Early experiences during the first 1000 days of your baby’s life affect how their brain develops. As we rethink the balance between individual and shared responsibility for our young children, Delaware’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Initiative seeks to ensure the health and well-being of all young children—especially from birth to age three.
Why is Developmental Screening important?
When a developmental delay is not recognized early, children miss a vital opportunity to maximize their brain’s full development. The brain development operates on a “use or lose it” rule. Therefore, if a developmental delay is not identified early the developmental delay will leave the child struggling to do normal activities that would have come much easier if early intervention services were obtained.
How can I help my child’s development?
Communicate and connect with your child at birth. Parents and caregivers can do little things to foster their children’s healthy cognitive and emotional development, like talking to your child from birth, beginning to read to them at a very early age and helping them play simple games. Parents play the most important role in providing the nurturing and stimulation that children require. On occasion, parents also need information on resources and support to develop good parenting skills. These resources and services are available for you. Ask your pediatrician about developmental screening using a validated screening tool. To learn more about your child’s development, visit the websites below:
- Child Development Watch (Delaware’s early intervention program)
- CDC Child Development
- Developmental Screening Fact Sheet (CDC)
- Learn the Developmental Milestones for your child. Act Early! (CDC)
