What is Developmental Delay?

Developmental delay refers to the failure to reach the developmental milestone at a typical time frame. As a result, the development of those skills is qualitatively different from children of the same age. If a child has a delay in more than one developmental ability, they will be diagnosed with a global developmental delay. Children with developmental delay usually exhibit the following problems:

♦︎ Weak attention and memory

♦︎ Fine motor and gross motor delay

♦︎ Difficulties in emotional regulations

♦︎ Language comprehension and expression delays

♦︎ Weak sensory-perceptual and discrimination abilities

♦︎ Weak cognitive abilities, slow in understanding abstract and logical reasoning

♦︎ Difficulties in social communication and in maintaining social relationships with same-age peers

What causes Developmental Delay?

Developmental delay is usually caused by various factors, including heredity, complications during pregnancy, and premature birth. However, it is not always possible to determine the exact cause of a child’s developmental delay.

Developmental Delay Assessment in Neuroscientist

Service Target

❖ Children aged 1.5 to 6

Content of Service

❖Clinical Interview: The psychologist will gather information from parents regarding the child's social, emotional, behavioral, and learning functions.

❖ Behavioral Observations: The social communication and interaction between the child and their parents will be observed to determine if the child has a delay in their social abilities.

❖ Developmental Abilities Assessments: Standardised tests will assess the child's cognitive, verbal comprehension and expression, fine motor, gross motor, memory, and processing speed abilities.

Referral & Follow-Up

❖ The psychologist will write a comprehensive report (English) to integrate the findings and explain the assessment results in the report meeting. 

❖If the assessment result suggests the child has a developmental delay(s), appropriate interventions and treatment recommendations will be provided based on the conclusion.

❖Children who have a developmental delay(s) will be referred to rehabilitation services provided by The Social Welfare Department, including Special Child Care Centre (SCCC), Integrated Programme in Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centre (IP), Early Education and Training Centre (EETC), On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services (OPRS).