When your child isn’t meeting their milestones, you might hear words like developmental delay or developmental disability. These words sound similar, but they mean different things.
Knowing the difference can help you find the right support for your child. In this short video, we’ll explain what developmental delays and developmental disabilities are, how they affect your child’s learning and growth, and how therapy can help.
Transcript:
Welcome back to Exceptional Lives Early Childhood FAQ Series. Today, we’re explaining the difference between a developmental delay and a disability—and how therapy can help
A developmental delay means your child is taking longer than expected to reach certain milestones, like walking, talking, or social skills. For Special Ed and IEP’s, children can only be considered to have a delay until the age of 9. With the right support, they may catch up to their peers.
A disability is a long-term condition that affects how your child learns, moves, or interacts with the world. It’s something they’ll learn to manage with support throughout their life.
Therapy can help with both. Whether your child needs speech, physical, or occupational therapy, these services can help them build skills and confidence.
The key is getting started early and working as a team with your child’s therapists, doctors, and daycare or school.
Want to learn more? Visit exceptionallives.org for guides and tools to help you support your child every step of the way.
Learn more
Early Childhood FAQ: How to Get Therapy for a Developmental Delay
Early Childhood FAQ: What if my baby is behind on milestones?
Can My Child Do Therapy at Daycare? How to Coordinate with Providers
