You learned your child has a developmental delay. What’s next?
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EmailOnce you learn your child has a developmental delay, many parents and caregivers need to take a moment to process the news and prepare for what’s next.
Whenever you have a gut feeling or inclination that your child may need support with motor, language or social development, it’s best to avoid waiting to see if things improve on their own. It is very easy to contact a recommended service like Early On for an in-home developmental evaluation. The assessment provides expert insight into your child’s progress and helps guide next steps to support age-appropriate development. The Michigan State University Extension article series, Understanding the process of early childhood developmental evaluations, can familiarize you with early childhood developmental evaluations, as well as ways to request an evaluation for your child, how the process works, and how to prepare for the initial meeting.
After an evaluation, you may hear a range of outcomes. Your child may be on track in all areas or show delays in one or more. If a delay is identified, take time to discuss the results with the evaluator. The Cleveland Clinic offers a great resource defining developmental delays. Supports may be minimal, such as at-home activities, playgroups or occasional home visits. In some cases, more intensive support may be recommended, especially if delays appear in multiple areas (such as language and social skills). Regardless of the outcome, it’s understandable that parents and caregivers may need time to process all of the new information. Take a moment to breathe, stay calm and listen carefully to the evaluator’s guidance at what can often be an emotional time.
Once you’ve received information about your child’s development, it’s important to adjust your expectations to match what your child needs at that moment. For some parents and caregivers, this may simply confirm that their instincts were right and they need to follow through with the evaluator’s recommendations. For others, it can mean rethinking what they imagined for their child’s future. Creating a “new dream” doesn’t mean giving up hope, it means looking at your child’s unique strengths and needs, and learning how to support them so they can thrive and be successful in their own way.
It’s important to know that unexpected news can bring up worry, anxiety and even fear. When you learn your child is developing along a different path, it’s normal to experience a sense of grief as you begin adjusting your expectations and daily routines. Whether your child has a mild delay or a diagnosed disability, many parents and caregivers need time and patience to process what this means for their child and for their family.
When coming to terms with your child’s delay or disability, it’s important to think about how to set clear and supportive expectations with family and friends. Sharing your child’s needs can help others understand how to best support them and ensure everyone is working together to create a positive, encouraging environment. It is also important to be willing to share this information with your child’s pediatrician, childcare, preschool and other care providers so they can best support your child and family.