Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
What Is Global Developmental Delay
Understanding Global Developmental Delay
Global developmental delay, or GDD, is a term used when a young child has significant delays in two or more areas of development. These areas may include movement, hand skills, communication, learning, social interaction and everyday self-care.
Children develop at different rates. A missed milestone on its own does not confirm GDD. A qualified professional looks at the child’s overall development and uses appropriate developmental assessments before making a diagnosis.
Common Signs of Global Developmental Delay
The signs can look different for each child. Parents may notice that their child needs more time or support in several areas.
Possible signs include:
-
Sitting, crawling, standing or walking later than expected
-
Difficulty using their hands for play, drawing, feeding or dressing
-
Using fewer words or having difficulty understanding language
-
Finding it difficult to learn new skills or solve simple problems
-
Limited play or interaction with other people
-
Difficulty following everyday routines
-
Needing more help with feeding, dressing, toileting or other daily activities
-
Losing skills the child previously used
Developmental milestones are useful guides, not a diagnosis. If a child loses a skill they previously had, parents should seek professional advice promptly.
Understanding GDD Causes and Assessment
What Can Cause Global Developmental Delay
GDD can have many possible causes. These may include genetic or neurological conditions, differences during pregnancy or birth, infections, metabolic conditions or other health factors. Sometimes the cause is not immediately known.
What Should Parents Do?
01 Track Current Skills
Write down the skills your child can do and the areas that concern you.
04 Ask About Assessments
Ask whether hearing, vision or developmental assessments are appropriate.
02 Check Developmental Milestones
Use a recognised milestone checklist as a guide.
05 Gather Previous Reports
Bring any previous medical, school or therapy reports to the appointment.
03 Speak With a Professional
Speak with your child’s paediatrician or healthcare provider.
06 Ask About Early Intervention
Ask about early intervention while further assessment is in progress.
Asking for support early can help families understand what the child needs and begin working on useful everyday skills.
How TLC One-to-One Services Can Help
Individualised One-to-One Support
For children with GDD, TLC’s main service pathway is individualised one-to-one support. One-to-one sessions allow the team to work closely on goals that reflect the child’s current abilities, priorities and pace of learning.
Everyday Skills and Independence
Support may include play and engagement, fine motor and everyday participation skills, self-care and greater independence, and coping with transitions.
Communication and Learning
Depending on the child’s needs, an ABA-based programme may support functional communication, attention and learning readiness, and following simple instructions and routines.
Support Across Settings
Goals are reviewed as the child develops. TLC’s programme can support practising skills across home, school and community settings, and can work alongside medical care, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or other services recommended by qualified professionals.
Starting With an Initial Consultation
All service enquiries begin with an initial consultation. This gives the TLC team time to understand the family’s concerns, the child’s current development and any previous assessments or support.
After the consultation, the team can explain whether one-to-one services are a suitable next step and what information or programme assessment may be needed.
Book an Initial Consultation
If you are concerned about your child’s development, speak with the TLC team. We can talk through your concerns, explain how one-to-one support may help and let you know what the next step would be.
Book an initial consultation with TLC in Bandar Sri Damansara or Petaling Jaya.