Recognising Developmental Problems

As you watch your child grow, you wonder if he or she is reaching the right milestones. MH learns from experts what makes a developmental problem and what you can do to help.

- Steffi Tan

As a parent, it is natural to be worried that your child is not hitting certain developmental milestones by specific ages. Chances are, your child will grow up just fine— the range of what is “normal” is wide as each child develops at his own pace and timeline.

On the other hand, it is also useful to recognise some potential red flags that might mean your child is facing a developmental problem that might require the help of a professional.

Defining a Delay or Disorder

According to Dr Chong Shang Chee, head and senior consultant at the Child Development Unit, National University Hospital, the most common developmental delay is in speech and language. Some children might experience motor delays, which affect movement. Simple actions like sitting up to other related abilities like writing, self-care, and performing day-to-day activities could be a challenge, says Dr Low Kah Tzay, paediatrician at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Dr Low also describes what is known as social development delay, which would affect the child’s ability to interact and integrate into society, and his or her self-esteem level.

When a child faces delays in not just one of the above mentioned but in multiple areas, he or she has what is called Global Developmental Delay, says Associate Professor Mary Daniel, head and senior consultant, Department of Child Development at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Another common developmental problem in children is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), says Assoc Prof Daniel. ASD is characterised by varying degrees of deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. Some children with ASD could have unusual talents and can also be highly intelligent, while some others could have severe intellectual disability, adds Dr Chong.