Neuro-Developmental Disorders

When a child fails to achieve developmental milestones typical of their chronological age, parents and educators might begin to suspect the child is experiencing a developmental delay. If the child is over three-years of age, language is severly delayed or absent, and a delay of more than 2 years is observed across all areas of development, then a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder is usually given. If additional behavioural characteristics such as poor social awareness and presence of obsessional or ritualistic behaviours are noted, then a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder might be given.

General Observations

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is an umbrella term that encompasses several developmental disorders, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Asperger’s disorder, and Rett’s disorder. Like many of the other neuro-developmental disabilities, PDD occurs more frequently in males than in females, with the exception that Rett’s disorder occurs only in females.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders typically develop within the first three years of life. Characteristics include language problems, difficulties in social interaction and resistance to changes in routine. Autism is the most severe form of PDD. In addition to the difficulties seen with all pervasive developmental delays, autism is often associated with repetitive and non-functional behaviours.

Although concern is usually raised when the child fails to talk at the expected age, parents of children with developmental delay often comment that from a very young age, they noted that their child did not show interest in their surroundings, make eye contact, or have a "social smile". This is the biggest indicator of PDD.

If you have any concerns that your child may have Autism/PDD, ask yourself the following questions.

Does your child do any of the following?

1. Avoid eye contact?

2. Walk around on tip-toes?

3. Avoid playing with others?

4. Demonstrate language delays?

5. Repeat lines from movies, or echo your speech?

6. Get upset with changes in routine?

7. Screech, flap hands, cover ears, or flick fingers in front of their eyes?

8. Lack "make believe" play?

9. Play with toys and objects in unusual ways? (e.g., spin/flick toys, pass objects in/out of visual field, “post” items through gratings)?

10. Exhibit unusual or extreme responses to sensory stimulation (e.g., touch, smell, tastes)?

If you answered "yes" to five or more of these questions, you should consult with your family doctor, paediatrician, or psychologist who will provide appropriate assessment.

Motor Delays

Birth to 18 months of age: The most prevalent development delays are related to motor skills, which involve movement of the muscles. In rare cases, motor delays stem from brain abnormalities, the most common of which is cerebral palsy.

The following difficulties may indicate a motor delay:

1. Inability to roll over without assistance by 8 months

2. Inability or difficulty sitting by 9 months of age

3. Inability or difficulty standing by 12 months of age

4. Inability or difficulty walking by 15 months of age

5. Extreme stiffness of body or joints

6. Extreme looseness of body joints

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