Developmental Delay

Developmental delay refers to a child who is not achieving milestones within the age range of that normal variability. Most often, at least initially, it is difficult or impossible to determine whether the delay is a marker of a long-term issue with development or learning (i.e. known as a disability) or whether the child will ‘catch-up’ and be ‘typical’ in their development and learning. ’There are five main groups of skills that make up the developmental milestones. A child may have a developmental delay in one or more of these areas:

  • Gross motor: using large groups of muscles to sit, stand, walk, run, etc., keeping balance and changing positions.
  • Fine motor: using hands and fingers to be able to eat, draw, dress, play, write and do many other things.
  • Language: speaking, using body language and gestures, communicating and understanding what others say.
  • Cognitive: Thinking skills including learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and remembering.
  • Social: Interacting with others, having relationships with family, friends, and teachers, cooperating and responding to the feelings of others.

Resources 

Montana

Early Intervention Programs For Children With Disabilities/Delays- Network of Care, Montana DPHHS

National

Child Development: Developmental Monitoring and Screening- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health- The Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative
This website provides easy access to data that do not require statistical expertise. The mission of the organization is to advance the effective use of public data on the status of children's health and health-related services for children, youth and families in the United States. 

Zero to Three- National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development. This site has a well-developed resource section for parents.