Understanding Global Developmental Disorder - At Your Own Pace

Every parent wants their child to succeed. You watch their every move hoping not to miss their first steps, and listen with bated breath to every babble in case it happens to be their first word. Most children reach these milestones at a certain age, but some struggle. Now in most cases, this isn’t anything to worry about. Some kids just like to take their time. But for others, this may be a sign of an underlying developmental condition. If your child is struggling to meet the same benchmarks as their peers, they might have Global Developmental Delay (GDD). But what exactly does GDD show itself? And can it be treated? Let’s dive deeper into the condition, its causes, symptoms, and treatments — from physical therapy to the best Stem Cell Therapy treatment in India.

What is GDD?

To understand how GDD manifests itself, we first need to understand what it is. Global Developmental Delay is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of issues that cause a delay in a child’s cognitive or physical development. A child with GDD might not meet age-appropriate milestones for speech and movement, or they may have trouble understanding their emotions or interacting socially with their peers. These delays may be short-term and overcome with some effort and a good support system. In other cases, it may be more severe, or indicative of other conditions — learning disabilities for example.

What causes GDD?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 experience some kind of developmental delay. But despite its relative frequency, experts aren’t sure what causes it. In some cases, for example in children with down syndrome, there’s a clear genetic link. But with other conditions like autism, it’s much less clear. Most developmental disabilities occur before a child is born due to complications during pregnancy. However, a difficult delivery or an infection after birth could also lead to a child exhibiting GDD. Global Developmental Delay could also be a symptom of a different underlying condition such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
• Landau-Keffler Syndrome
• Myopathies, such as Muscular Dystrophy
• Genetic disorders like Down Syndrome or Fragile X syndrome

How can I tell if my child has GDD?
Children develop at different rates, so a missed milestone or two isn’t usually something to worry about. However if a child is exhibiting multiple signs of developmental delay, you may need to talk to your pediatrician. Some examples of developmental red flags include:

Fine and gross motor skills:

• Floppy or loose trunk and limbs
• Stiff arms and legs
• Limited movements in arms and legs
• Inability to sit without support by nine months
• Movements are often involuntary and reflexive rather than voluntary
• Inability to stand or bear weight on the legs by the age of one

Speech and language skills:

• Not babbling or using baby speak by six months
• No clear usage of words by 12-15 months
• Unable to form words by age two and form sentences by age three
• Can’t express thoughts clearly through speech
• Show’s signs of understanding what people are saying but have difficulty or are unable to speak themselves

Social and emotional skills:

• Not smiling at people by three months
• Doesn’t cuddle
• Doesn’t exhibit play behavior
• Lack of facial expression
• No interest in mimicking words, gestures, or facial expressions of the people around them

Cognitive skills:

• Doesn’t search for hidden objects by age one
• Doesn’t use gestures like waving by age one
• Doesn’t point to objects or pictures
• Doesn’t know the use for common objects by age two
• Can’t follow simple instructions
• Can’t imitate actions or words

How can you treat GDD?
The symptoms of GDD can be mitigated through a personalized treatment plan. First, speak to your child’s doctor to understand whether these developments are a sign of an underlying developmental condition, or if your child is simply a late bloomer. Your pediatrician may ask you to keep an eye out for further signs or refer you to a specialist who can conduct certain tests to determine the right treatment plan. A holistic treatment plan will depend on the traits your child exhibits and may include:

• Medication (this depends on whether the delays are a symptom of another condition such as an undiagnosed learning disability or ASD)
• Physical therapy to improve motor skills
• Speech and Language therapy to improve speaking skills and the ability to use language
• Occupational therapy to help tackle social and cognitive delays

Another possible treatment is Stem Cell Therapy. Stem Cells are cells formed in the bone marrow with the ability to adapt to whatever the body needs — they’re essentially a blank slate. They have an incredible regenerative capacity and help the body heal at the cellular level. Stem cells could help tackle the biological causes of some of these conditions, particularly when applied to degraded neurons. The healing potential of stem cells puts clinics offering the best Stem Cell Therapy treatment in India on the top of many patients’ lists. 

Every child develops at their own rate, but in some cases, they may need a little outside help to keep up with their peers. However, if your child shows signs of GDD, talk to your pediatrician today to find the right treatment option for him — whether that means physical therapy or the best Stem Cell Therapy treatment in India.