HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Developmental delay
Takaroa whakawhanake
Developmental delay means a tamaiti (child) does not reach one or more developmental milestones by the expected age.
A child with developmental delay will still progress. But they will progress at a different rate to other tamariki (children). Sometimes, delays become more obvious as the tamaiti gets older and has to learn more complex skills.
A tamaiti can be delayed in any of 4 areas of development. They are:
- physical development, which includes posture, movement and learning to use their hands
- speech and language development, which includes communication and learning to talk
- social-emotional development, which includes managing feelings and behaviour and relating to others
- cognitive (intellectual) development, which includes planning, thinking and problem-solving.
If a tamaiti has been born prematurely, had a long illness or experienced significant family stress, they may have an obvious developmental delay for a while. But a continuing delay can suggest there is a more complex reason for the delay, and they may need continuing support. In this case, they need to be assessed to figure out what they are having difficulty with, how serious it is and what effect it is having on their life.
Sometimes development is delayed because of another condition. For example, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder. Intellectual disability is a common cause. Usually, the term developmental delay is used until another formal diagnosis is made.
Intellectual disability
An intellectual disability is a lifelong condition. It affects a child's learning, behaviour, social and practical skills. A tamaiti with an intellectual disability takes longer to learn skills than other tamariki.
A severe disability is likely to become obvious in the first 2 years of their life. A milder disability may not be obvious until a child is 3 or 4, or even until they enter school.
Symptoms of developmental delay
If your tamaiti has a developmental delay, you may notice they:
- Are slower to learn physical skills. For example, sitting, rolling, crawling, learning to jump, throw and catch or balance.
- Do not often try to touch and grasp things when they are a pēpi (baby).
- Find using tools like cutlery or crayons harder than others their age.
- Are slower to learn day-to-day tasks. For example, getting dressed, using the potty or toilet or feeding themselves.
- Find it harder to understand social situations, to communicate with others or to know how to play with others.
- Have trouble managing their own behaviour. For example, they may not know how to safely express anger or frustration.
- Are less aware of safety. For example, they do not seem to learn to stop and look before crossing the street.
Diagnosing a developmental delay
If you think your tamaiti may have a developmental delay, talk to your general practice team, Well Child nurse or early childhood teacher. They will ask questions about your child’s history and behaviour and will watch them playing. They will also examine your tamaiti to check their general health and what they can and cannot do. Your general practice team may refer them for hearing and vision checks.
If your general practice team thinks your tamaiti may have a developmental delay, they will refer you to a specialist. This could be a child development specialist or paediatrician (specialist children's doctor).
A development specialist or paediatrician will again ask about your child’s history and behaviour. They will also watch them and do some neurological (nerve and brain) examinations. They may also ask for some further tests.
They will diagnose your tamaiti after watching how they behave in different situations and listening to what you have noticed. They may speak to your child's teachers and other health professionals if they are involved. For example, their psychologist, speech-language therapist and occupational therapist.
If your tamaiti is very young, their diagnosis may change as they get older.
Helping your child with a developmental delay
To help your tamaiti, recognise that they may need more time and practice to learn certain skills. Your tamaiti will have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. You can work with their health professionals and their teachers to make sure they achieve their potential.
There are community child development support services that can help. Your general practice team or child's school may also know what services are available for you and your tamaiti.
Long-term effects of development delay
Developmental delay varies a lot. As your tamaiti grows, their specific needs and strengths will become much clearer. Some tamariki need a lot of support during their school years. They may then use the skills they have used and available resources to live independent lives as adults. Other people may need continued support throughout their lives.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Learn the signs. Act early
These pages have information about child development milestones. They also have information about what to do if you are worried about your tamaiti and resources you can use.
- KidsHealth – Communication development
Information about growth, development, speech and language skills that tamariki usually develop by various ages.
- Raising Children Network
An Australian website that has developmental information for newborns, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, pre-teens and teens.
Written by a private occupational therapist, Canterbury. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2024.
SourcesReview key: HICDG-40335
