Global developmental delay is a broad diagnosis for children under the age of 5 who exhibit delays across a range of developmental milestones. This includes delays in:

• Cognitive skills: the ability to think, learn, and deal with problems

• Speech and language skills: The ability to use, communicate, and understand

• language

• Fine and gross motor skills: The ability to use small and large muscles in the body

• Social and emotional skills: The ability to express, connect, and relate to other people

• Daily living activities: The ability to handle daily tasks (i.e. dressing, eating, hygiene) 

It is important to note that every child will develop differently and meeting developmental milestones is a complex process. For example, some children will crawl later than expected, but walk faster than expected. It is important to recognize individual differences are common, and global developmental delay is only diagnosed when a child is performing substantially below average across more than one area. 

Usually health professionals use the term ‘developmental delay’ until they can work out what’s causing the delay and usually up until the age of 5 years. If and when they find the cause, they’ll use a term that better explains the child’s condition. This may include a learning disability, intellectual disability or cerebral palsy.