Could Your Child Be Developmentally Delayed?

At some point, all children will have some behavioral issues. However, it is when they persist and are fairly unusual that there is reason for alarm. There are many parents who will blame themselves and resort to all sorts of tactics to get their children to behave appropriately. But, when do we know or decide that there is something else going on? There are some "bad behaviors", that should simply not be dismissed as a discipline or behavioral problem, but may signify a developmental delay.

There is a myth that a developmentally delayed child will be behind their peers in terms of when they do things such as walking, talking, throwing a ball, and the like. This is not necessarily true. Like any other type of health or mental condition a developmental delay will affect individuals differently. These children may do everything right on time, some possibly earlier than their peers. It greatly depends on the type of delay the child is afflicted with.

Aggressive behaviors, is one of the many signs of a developmental delay. By aggressive, I don't mean that the child attempts to inflict harm. Aggressive behaviors can be described as being very physical with others. A good example of this is the child who is constantly tugging, pulling, or doing otherwise physical things to others or themselves. It is similar to behaviors demonstrated by the child who is trying to talk but having problems communicating what they wish to say. They want to show you or jerk your head in that particular direction. This is normal of toddlers, but not in older children.

Another sign, which is quite the opposite of aggressive behavior and the need to grab is the child who does not want to be touched. These children may become agitated and difficult to deal with when touched. Typically, this behavior will surface at a very early age. The baby who does not like to be held or the toddler who doesn't want to be hugged is a great example. While some of these children may just be independent, these can also be symptoms of Autism or another developmental delay.

Shyness, which is quite common, can mask other problems. Children go through phases in which they may become shy and suffer from separation anxiety. It is the severity of it that indicates possible mental/developmental health issues. Parents should become concerned when shyness seems more like anti-social behaviors. These may include becoming withdrawn from peers on a frequent basis. Generally speaking, the child will almost literally stand out in the crowd.

Of course, there are the obvious signs. These may include but are not limited to speech problems, tantrums, slow response, and being behind in terms of physical development. If you believe there is something odd going on with your child, there vary well may be. Intelligence does not necessarily play a role in developmental disorders. If your child demonstrates behaviors that you think are extreme or age inappropriate, chances are you may be right.