Global Development Delay

My 3.5 year old is exactly the same, walking at 25 months due to hyper mobility and under speech and language. Has always been behind his peers developmentally however has recently improved massively to the point where he seems to be catching up very quickly! Fingers crossed they are just getting there in their own time and nothing to worry about :)

Thanks for your reply, and reassurance. Yes, fingers crossed they will do it in their own time. One suggestion has been that the brain has focused first on the motor skills first, that being delayed in both our boys. Now that they have mastered that, they’re playing catch up with all the other things. Best wishes x

Has your LO had micro array tests done? My LO has had so many tests done for different things and all came back normal so it’s a mystery as to why he’s been developmentally delayed. One thing I know for sure is it’s been a long and lonely journey when other children seem so much more advanced, so it’s nice to know I’m not alone and hopefully you feel reassured you’re not the only one either :) x

He was seen by a paediatrician for his walking, who basically said the delay was due to hyper mobility (although they don’t officially diagnose that until their older). Months later, he started walking. Speech & language referred him recently to paediatrician who ruled out autism and classed it as GDD. She didn’t seem overly concerned but advised us to continue with S&L. She has booked for him to visit audiology and have tests for thyroid and also a muscle enzyme disorder which she said is incredibly rare but just to rule it out. It’s more to do with his social skills and understanding. Don’t get me wrong these have come on loads in recent months. She mentioned Covid, his birthday is late in the school year and the fact he’s a boy. I always worry if it’s something I have done, or not done. In every other way he is a happy, loving little boy. May I ask what are the micro array tests? Yes, I couldn’t agree more on it being a long and lonely journey x

My little boy has been under peads since he was 10 months as he wasn’t just late walking, he was late in all gross motor milestones so had all of the tests done very early on. The micro array tests are to test their genetic sequence to make sure there’s no abnormalities, which can also detect autism. What you and your little boy are going through sounds identical to our situation, I have also been told that covid and lockdown could have played a part but I can’t really accept that when all children his age went through it. I completely understand your feelings of wondering if it’s something you’ve done as I question myself all the time, having said that I have a daughter 23 months old that only started walking last week (although a lot more advanced in speech) which makes me wonder that there must be something underlying that hasn’t been found. Is your boy advanced in other areas? I just hope that he continues to catch up before starting school in September as that’s a worry for me! X

And did your micro array tests come back ‘normal’? Similar to you, I find it hard to accept Covid played a part when his peers seem to be doing well and hitting their milestones. However, as my mum always reminds me, I did follow the rules in terms of socialising etc… He was an only child then (I now have a 14 month old) so he didn’t have peers who he could potentially learn from. When I put him in nursery part-time at around 15 months they put him in their baby room. He should have moved into the toddler room at around 18 months but they wouldn’t allow him to because he wasn’t walking. He was with very young babies so no opportunity to develop his speech or language. He is in a different setting now and thriving. He is still in nappies which worries me but the paediatrician was amazing and told me not to worry and that quite simply he isn’t ready, he will do it in his time. In many ways, I would consider him really bright and he loves learning. I know it’s hard though x

Yes all normal, there is nothing medically wrong with him from all the tests they have done, other than very flexible ankles. We also followed all of the lockdown rules with socialising and he had no siblings to learn from however he started nursery at 12 months old 3 days a week so I would have thought he would have progressed quicker than he did. He also had to stay in the younger rooms for longer than he should have however I found each time he did move to the older rooms, he would progress very quickly. My little boy is starting to learn to potty train however he’s still having lots of accidents, he also has chronic constipation which doesn’t help. My little one is very advanced with numbers, he could count to ten before he could say any words and is now counting to 100, however is only speaking 4 word sentences. As long as they are happy and healthy, that’s the most important thing x

One day we will both look back on this, and wonder why we worried so much. Thankfully they have both had the intervention needed and that should prompt the school teacher in September to take that greater consideration when helping them. Best wishes x

Hi Victoria, I just wanted to ask and hoping for some advice really, if you can. Our little boy is experiencing severe meltdowns, not all the time but they are getting worse. To the point, his preschool teacher today suggested we contact the HV as he is having them at preschool. They are mostly centred around change/transition one activity or task to the next. They have been using the traffic light system to prepare him. I’m so upset this evening worrying about him but when I try to explain to him his behaviour is wrong he just looks at me blankly. He will say “sorry” but I feel that’s become learnt and that it isn’t truly sincere. I guess he is developing at a slower pace than his peers. Have you experienced any of this before? Thanks x