The first few years of a child’s life are marked by numerous milestones, from sitting up and crawling to walking and talking. Although every child develops at their own pace, there are developmental expectations. So it can be concerning for parents when their child does not meet typical developmental expectations. For many children, typically those aged five and under, missing milestones can signal a global developmental delay, also known as early developmental impairment.
Today’s blog provides a detailed explanation of global developmental delay, including its definition, symptoms to watch for, treatment options, and more. If a parent has concerns about their child’s development, it’s critical to voice them, as early intervention is best for helping children overcome developmental barriers. For parents concerned about their child’s development, checking with their child’s primary caregiver is best. Early diagnosis and intervention of GDD is critical to helping children overcome developmental barriers.
What Is GDD?
Global developmental delay refers to children (aged 5 and younger) who are significantly delayed in two or more areas of their development. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) classifies global developmental delay as an intellectual disability. However, GDD differs from developmental delay, as it refers to missed milestones in more than one area, including physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional development.
Global Developmental Delay Symptoms
Global developmental delay can show up in babies and young children in various ways. It’s important for parents and caregivers to share any of these concerns with a healthcare provider, rather than take a wait-and-see approach.
Motor and Physical Development Symptoms
Does the baby or child have difficulty crawling, walking, or experiencing coordination delays? Children with GDD might have difficulty achieving these physical milestones, which occur from infancy and early childhood.
Cognitive and Learning Symptoms
Difficulty in understanding and processing information may signal global developmental delay. This means the child struggles with problem-solving, memory, following directions, or grasping concepts appropriate for their age.
Social and Emotional Symptoms
Does the child have difficulty engaging with others and forming relationships? A child with global developmental delay may struggle with basic social interactions, responding to emotional cues, and making eye contact.
Causes of Global Developmental Delay
GDD affects approximately 1%–3% of preschool-aged children1. There are many possible causes, ranging from medical to environmental, including neurological conditions, prenatal/birth complications, and environmental influences. However, the exact reason sometimes remains unclear. This uncertainty can be especially challenging for parents and caregivers, but it’s important to remember that not having a clear cause should not deter them from seeking supportive interventions.
Factors that may contribute to global developmental delay include the following, which can occur before, during, and after birth.
- Premature birth or premature infections
- Metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Brain trauma, such as shaken baby syndrome
- Exposure to specific toxic substances, like prenatal alcohol exposure
- Malnutrition during development
Global Developmental Delay Diagnosis
If a parent, a primary healthcare provider, or anyone else involved in a child’s care notices developmental delays, it’s important to follow up.
Early Screening and Pediatric Evaluation
Most pediatricians regularly screen children for developmental delays during their well-child doctor visits. However, healthcare professionals may recommend a more in-depth developmental assessment when developmental delays occur. These kinds of assessments are critical, as early detection of developmental delays can lead to timely interventions, improving outcomes for the child.
Medical Tests and Assessments
Doctors often recommend a series of tests to gain clarity about what may be contributing to the delays, which can inform treatment and support. These are not one-size-fits-all, as each child’s evaluation is tailored to their specific needs and medical history. Standard tests and assessments for GDD include imaging tests, lab work, and evaluations by specialists.
Global Developmental Delay ICD-10 Code
Global developmental delay is listed under the ICD-10 code F88 in medical records. This refers to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, a standardized system used by doctors to classify and document health conditions. A formal code enables clinicians to record diagnoses clearly in a child’s medical history. The ICD-10 code for global developmental delay can also facilitate the coordination of care across different specialists and ensure proper tracking of treatment plans and services.
Global Developmental Delay vs Autism Spectrum Disorder
GDD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are different diagnoses with distinct features, even though they can appear similar in some young children. The similarities may include communications challenges, developmental concerns, and social interaction challenges. However, each of these challenges presents differently depending on the diagnosis.
- Communication: Young children with GDD and ASD may experience general communication delays, such as learning to talk later or making slower progress in vocabulary. Children with ASD may also experience difficulties with how language is used, such as repeating phrases (echolalia) or struggling to understand tone, humor, or nonverbal cues.
- Behavior: Children with autism often exhibit distinct behavioral patterns, such as repetitive movements (e.g., hand flapping, rocking), highly focused interests, or a strong need for routines and predictability. With global development delay, behaviors are generally related to the development level, without unusual behavior patterns.
- Developmental: For children with GDD, developmental delays span multiple areas, including speech, motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social interactions. However, children with ASD typically have more pronounced challenges with social interaction, communication style, and behavior.
Treatment and Support for Global Developmental Delay
For children with global developmental delay, therapies targeted to the specific area of delay are highly effective in helping them catch up to their peers. These can include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. These may also include neuro-developmental therapy, which focuses on improving motor skills, coordination, and overall functioning.
Depending on availability, some children ages three and under may qualify for free or low-cost early intervention services, which provide individualized therapy and support during the most critical years of development. Once a child is in preschool or school, special education programs can provide tailored accommodations and support on-site. These services can help children learn at their own pace while being included in classroom activities whenever possible.
Families and caregivers also play a crucial role in a child’s development and progress. Loved ones can learn strategies to reinforce therapy at home, reduce stress, and feel less isolated through training, counseling, and caregiver support groups. Family members can also encourage routines, celebrate small milestones, and build on a child’s strengths to support progress.
Prognosis and Outlook
The prognosis and outlook for children with global developmental delay can vary widely, as each child is unique. For some children, the delays may be temporary or mild, allowing them to make steady progress and achieve milestones with the proper support. In other GDD cases, especially when linked to a genetic or neurological condition, developmental challenges may be ongoing and require long-term support. In any case, early intervention remains the most critical factor, giving children the best chance to overcome challenges and thrive. Many children with global developmental delay show significant improvement with therapy and consistent care.
At KidsCare Home Health, we provide pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapies for children with special needs nationwide. By offering care in the comfort and familiarity of the child’s own home, we create a safe and supportive environment where children can learn and grow. If your child is experiencing global developmental delay, we can help. Our services actively involve families, caregivers, and other health professionals to ensure each child’s care plan is personalized and coordinated. Children can make remarkable progress with early intervention, tailored care, and consistent support
Contact KidsCare Home Health
FAQ
What are the main symptoms of global developmental delay?
Indications include delays in reaching milestones such as walking, talking, problem-solving, and social interaction across more than one area of development.
What causes global developmental delay in children?
Although difficult to pinpoint at times, causes may include genetic conditions, birth complications, brain injuries, infections, or prenatal exposure to toxins. In some cases, no clear cause may be found.
How is global developmental delay diagnosed?
Diagnosis occurs through developmental screenings, medical evaluations, imaging or lab tests, and specialist assessments to evaluate progress across different skills.
Can a child outgrow global developmental delay?
Yes, some children catch up to peers with early therapy and support, while others may continue to experience challenges depending on the cause and severity.
What therapies or treatments help with GDD?
Early intervention is a key factor. Children with GDD can benefit from speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies. Special education programs can all support progress.
At what age can global developmental delay be diagnosed?
Typically, children are diagnosed between birth and five years old when they are expected to meet developmental milestones.
