Early Intervention
The term “developmental delay” is an important one in early intervention. Broadly speaking, it means that a child is delayed in some area of development. There are five areas in which development may be affected:
- Cognitive development
- Physical development, including vision and hearing
- Communication development
- Social or emotional development
- Adaptive development
Baby Watch Early Intervention Program has a list of diagnoses that automatically qualifies a child for services. The program [serving the child] must have documentation of the diagnosis.
Special Education
Utah’s State Board of Education Special Education Rules are designed to implement the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes the following definition of developmental delay:
In a student ages three through seven, developmental delay means a significant delay in one or more of the following areas: physical/motor development, cognitive development, communication development, social/ emotional development, or adaptive development. The delay must adversely affect a student’s educational performance.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools or the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, that choose to use the classification of developmental delay must conform to the State’s definition of developmental delay, including the age range adopted by the State, and the requirement that the LEA conduct a full and individual initial evaluation.
More helpful information, can be found by following these links:
This website answers many of the frequently asked questions about Developmental Delays, the causes of them, what to do if you suspect DD, early intervention strategies and techniques, special education, and transition.
What You Need to Know About Developmental Delays
This article discusses the basics of understanding developmental delays, possible causes and explanation of developmental milestones.
Center for Parent Information and Resources
All the materials found on the CPIR Hub have been created and archived for Parent Centers around the country to help them provide support and services to the families they serve. The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other experts—every step of the way, to create products and services that increase Parent Centers’ knowledge and capacity in specific domains.
Facts About Developmental Disabilities
This site is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and includes information about developmental milestones, what a parent should do if concerned and causes and risk factors.