Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by aysenuurcakir
It’s important to know when to worry about developmental delays. Early detection can make a big difference. At Liv Hospital, we focus on finding delays early and providing care from many experts.
A developmental delay means a child hasn’t learned skills like others their age. It’s key for parents and caregivers to know when to be concerned.

We stress the importance of finding delays early and giving kids the right care. This way, we help kids reach their full abilities and support their growth.
It’s important to know about developmental delays early. This knowledge helps in early intervention. Early help can greatly change a child’s development path.
Developmental delays mean a child is not meeting milestones on time. These delays can be in physical, cognitive, or emotional areas.
A child with global developmental delay has big delays in two or more areas. Knowing the exact delay helps in focusing on the right help.

It’s key to tell normal development from significant delays. Every child grows at their own pace. But some signs can mean a child is not developing as they should.
Normal development means hitting milestones within a wide age range. For example, most kids start walking between 12 to 14 months. But, if a child doesn’t walk by 18 months, it’s a sign to check further.
“Early identification and intervention are key to supporting children with developmental delays. By understanding the signs and types of delays, parents and caregivers can seek appropriate help.”
Knowing the difference between normal and delayed development is vital. It lets us act early, which can greatly help children with delays.
It’s important to understand how common developmental delays are in kids. These delays and disabilities affect many children and their families all over the world.
In the United States, about 1 in 6 kids has a developmental delay or disability. Worldwide, around 16.65% of kids aged 3–17 have developmental disabilities.

Developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. These conditions are becoming more common, with a steady increase in numbers.
Studies show that more kids are being diagnosed with developmental disabilities. This rise is due to better testing, more awareness, and environmental changes.
Diagnosing developmental delays has changed a lot in recent years. Early diagnosis and intervention are now more common. This is thanks to new medical tools and a better understanding of child development.
Early diagnosis is key because it means kids can get help sooner. This can make a big difference in their lives. Doctors are now better at spotting delays and helping kids.
Looking at global trends, it’s clear that developmental delays are a big issue. They need ongoing support from healthcare, families, and communities everywhere.
Spotting developmental delays is key to helping a child grow. Delays can show up in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional areas. Knowing these signs helps parents and caregivers act fast and get help.
Physical development covers gross and fine motor skills. Look out for these warning signs:
If a child hasn’t walked by 18 months, they might be delayed. Spotting these signs early can help them catch up with their peers.
Cognitive development is about thinking, learning, and solving problems. Watch for these concerns:
Keeping an eye on cognitive development is vital. It’s the foundation for learning and adapting. If a child shows big delays, see a pediatrician or specialist.
Social and emotional development is about interacting and managing feelings. Look out for these red flags:
Social and emotional development is key for a child’s happiness and success. Spotting delays here means you can offer specific support. This helps them build good relationships and manage their feelings.
Developmental milestones are important signs of a child’s growth. These milestones show what most kids can do by a certain age. They help spot if a child might be falling behind.
In the first year, babies hit many key milestones. By 2 months, they start smiling and reacting to sounds. By 6 months, they roll over and grab things. By 12 months, they sit up on their own and may stand with help.
Potential delays in infants include:
Toddlers grow fast. By 1 year, they stand alone and start walking. By 2 years, they say a few words and walk by themselves. By 3 years, they use simple sentences and climb.
Potential delays in toddlers include:
Preschoolers get better at using their skills. By 3 years, they use simple sentences and play with others. By 4 years, they dress themselves and understand the world better. By 5 years, they count to 10 and grasp basic ideas.
Potential delays in preschoolers include:
School-age kids grow in many ways. They learn to read, write, and get along with others.
Potential delays in school-age children include:
Knowing these milestones and possible delays helps parents and caregivers. It lets them spot issues early and get help when needed.
Knowing about developmental delays helps parents and caregivers support children. These delays can show up in many areas. Spotting them early is key for helping kids.
Speech and language delays are common. They make it hard for kids to talk and communicate. Signs include not babbling by 6 months, no words by 16 months, or two-word sentences by 24 months. If you see these signs, talk to a doctor.
Motor skills delays affect a child’s physical abilities. This includes fine motor skills like grasping and gross motor skills like walking. Signs include not holding their head by 4 months, sitting by 7 months, or walking by 14 months. Catching these early can help a lot.
Global Developmental Delay (GDD) means a child is slow in many areas. This includes thinking, moving, and talking. Kids with GDD need lots of help and therapy.
Social and Emotional Delays
Social and emotional delays make it hard for kids to connect with others and control their feelings. Signs include not responding to their name, not wanting to play with others, or getting very upset. Helping kids with these delays means creating a caring space that encourages them to interact and manage their feelings.
By knowing about these delays, we can help kids who are struggling. Early action is important for their growth.
When you worry about your child’s development, knowing when to ask for help is key. As a parent, you naturally wonder about your child’s growth. If you think your child might be falling behind, talking to a professional is a must.
Start by talking to your child’s pediatrician. They know how to check if your child is developing right. Share any worries you have with your pediatrician to get their advice.
The pediatrician will look at your child’s growth, health, and past medical history. This helps spot any delays. Be ready to share what you’ve noticed about your child’s development. This info is important for the pediatrician’s review.
ICD-10 codes help doctors track developmental delays. These codes are part of a big system for medical diagnoses. Knowing these codes helps parents understand their child’s diagnosis and treatment. These codes cover areas like speech, motor skills, and overall development.
Developmental screening is a key step to find children at risk for delays. It checks many areas of a child’s development. Doctors or other healthcare workers do this during regular check-ups.
The screening’s results show if more tests are needed. If there are concerns, you might see more specialists. Early screening is important for helping children catch up.
If your child is found to have a delay, a team of experts will help. This team includes doctors, psychologists, and therapists. Each specialist focuses on different parts of a child’s development.
This team approach means your child gets care that fits their needs. Together, they create a plan to help your child grow. Working together with parents is key to success.
Early intervention is key for kids with developmental delays. It helps them grow and develop better. Parents and caregivers can spot signs early and get help fast.
At Liv Hospital, we focus on top-notch care for kids with delays. Our team works together to give each child the right care. This way, we help kids and their families a lot.
Early help is vital for a child’s future. Families should watch their child’s growth closely. If they see any delays, they should get professional help right away.
A developmental delay happens when a child doesn’t hit milestones on time. This can affect their thinking, social skills, and movement.
There are several types. These include speech and language issues, motor skill problems, global delays, and social-emotional issues.
Many children worldwide face developmental disabilities. This shows we need to be aware and act early.
Look out for signs like physical, cognitive, and social-emotional delays. These can be sitting, walking, or talking late, and trouble with friends.
Milestones change with age. For infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school kids, knowing these helps spot delays early.
Global developmental delay means big delays in many areas. Doctors use tests to find this and help figure out what’s needed.
If you think your child might be delayed, talk to a doctor. They can help figure out what’s going on and what to do next.
The ICD-10 code helps with billing and insurance. It’s key for families to get the help their child needs.
Doctors like pediatricians and specialists in development help. Also, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists play a big role.
Early help is key. It lets kids get the right support early on. This helps them catch up and grow well.
It means a child isn’t reaching milestones on time. This can affect many areas of their growth.
It’s when a child grows slower than expected. This makes it hard for them to reach milestones on time.
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