Developmental Delays
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Developmental delays in children are just what they sound like – delays in development. A developmental delay may involve thinking, processing information, walking, talking, interacting with others, and many other things.
Childhood development from infancy through adulthood tends to go through similar stages for every child. For example, most children begin to smile by the time they’re a couple of months old, crawl by the time they’re seven months old, speak at least a few words by the time they’re about a year old, and so on.
A child may be diagnosed with developmental delay if he or she doesn’t meet milestones within an expected time.
Corewell Health Children’s offers multiple resources for developmental delay treatment and diagnosis. This includes the Center for Human Development (CHD) and Center for Exceptional Families (CEF). Each diagnosis treats children and adolescents with developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges.
Corewell Health Children’s evaluates and treats children who are showing evidence of, or who are at risk for the following developmental disorders:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
- Attention deficit disorders (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Other learning disabilities
- Social dysfunction
Developmental delay versus developmental disorder
A developmental delay may occur in any child with or without cause. A child may be diagnosed with a developmental delay when he or she doesn’t meet expected developmental milestones, like rolling over, crawling, babbling, keeping eye contact, and talking, but doctors have not yet determined the cause of the delay, nor diagnosed a developmental disability. A developmental disability is a long-term, chronic problem that results from physical or intellectual/mental challenges (or both).
Minor or temporary delays aren’t usually cause for concern and may not need treatment, but if your child has an ongoing delay or delays in multiple areas, he or she may need to be treated in an attempt to reduce the difficulties he or she could experience later in life.
Developmental delay disorders in children
There are several categories of developmental delay disorders children can experience. Those are:
Signs and symptoms of developmental delays
The signs of developmental delays vary greatly depending upon the type and degree of delay. Some of the more common signs and symptoms of delays are:
Diagnosing developmental delays
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk with his or her pediatrician about developmental milestones and how your child is progressing. Pediatricians are trained to know what’s normal and what may be a sign of a developmental delay or disorder.
If your child’s doctor believes your child may have a delay, the doctor will perform exams or recommend tests.
Treatment for developmental delays
Treatment for developmental delays will vary depending on the type(s) and severity of delay(s). Below are some possible treatments for different types of delays.
Center for Human Development
The Center for Human Development (CHD) at Corewell Health Children's is committed to using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to diagnose and treat children and adolescents who experience developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges. Call either our Southfield location at 248.691.4744 or our Grosse Pointe location at 313.473.4730 to request an appointment.
Center for Exceptional Families
Located in Dearborn, the Corewell Health Children’s Center for Exceptional Families follows a medical home model of comprehensive and innovative rehabilitation care, offering children with special needs and their families support throughout their unique life journeys. Call 313.996.1960 to make an appointment.