Please talk to me about Global Development Delay

[PurpleThistles84]

This has not been definitely diagnosed yet, but it’s expected so I’d like to prepare myself. My DC5 is 13 months old. He can sit in one spot unaided in the last two months. Aside from that, he can’t roll, crawl or walk. At first it was only his gross motor skills he was delayed in, but today it’s been confined he is delayed in communication and some fine motor skills.

He used to say mum and dad but has stopped. He also used to copy us with sticking his tongue out and blowing raspberries but has also stopped that too.

I think he stims, two of my other DC are ASD and dc5 is particularly fascinated with a couple of toys, where he will sit and play whilst making continuous Ahhh sound.

For those with children with GDD, what was pregnancy and labour like? I have always felt like his labour must have had some effect on him. Double cord around his neck, leading to it being cut before his body was born, shoulders stuck, failed ventouse attempt then out on the second attempt.

He is seeing a physiotherapist for the first time next week, waiting to be seen by paediatrician and my HV is phoning the GP today to also request he be seen.

It’s come as a bit of a shock as I comforted myself for ages that he wasn’t delayed in other areas so thought maybe he was just exceptionally laid back or perhaps had a joint issue such as hyper mobility. The physiotherapist was the one that mentioned possible GDD.

Anyone?

My son has global developmental delay. I adopted him so I can't comment on pregnancy and labour.

It is more of a description than a diagnosis - delayed in two or more areas of development. I think in a few cases children do 'catch up' e.g. my nephew who was v poorly during his first year. Other cases like my son it's just a label until a clearer diagnosis is made.

It's good that you are getting early intervention from physio. Is it a bit early to worry about his speech?

I have 2 sons who both have global development delay (and 3 who don't).

With my 7 year old pregnancy was fine until the 20 week scan when he was diagnosed with a cleft lip. He was born at 35 weeks via c-section and was in the neonatal unit for 4 weeks with breathing and feeding problems. He was also diagnosed with hydrocephalus.

With my 6 year old pregnancy was fine until the end when my waters broke at 35 weeks and I got an infection. I was induced which failed and ds was born via c-section at almost 37 weeks. He was in neonatal unit for 5 days and then on postnatal ward for another 3. The main thing I remember about the early days was the screaming if he was ever awake and not in my arms. The NICU nurses kept calling me to come and settle him. He still struggles with separation from me now. He is being assessed for autism but it's taking a long time.

My son has a diagnosis of global developmental delay, he was diagnosed around 20 months as he was delayed in walking and gross motor and communication.
He had lost language mum, dad, juice.
He is 4 now, he is non verbal and has an autism diagnosis.
He walked the day after his 2nd birthday.

I always felt that a diagnosis of GDD is something they give early on when they can see obvious delays but the underlying causes are yet not clear. As they get older (3YRs or older) this diagnoses tends to get reviewed and changed to a different diagnosis, like ASD for example.

My son has an autism diagnosis and global developmental delay as he is still well behind his peers.