Global Developmental Delay

[Kitty19870808]

My youngest son was diagnosed of Global Developmental Delay since June of 2020. I have no idea what it is since my two other sons were fine. It was on December of 2019 when I found out that my son is delayed from his development. He was born on March of 2019 and after that I left him with the nanny and my mother and I work here in Saudi Arabia. I went back home on December 2022 and at that time, he is 9 months and should be crawling with knees and can carry his head. But what I notice, he cannot carry his head, and he is crawling by his tummy. I was shocked and immediately I went to see a pediatric neurologist to see if there is something on her brain. Tests and UTZ of the brain was done and according to her, my son seems fine. Then after a month, My grandfather advised us to see a therapist for my son. I was able to have an appointment with the therapist and she then referred me to a developmental doctor. At that time, there is no available slot for appointment. I waited for 6 months to have that slot and by June of 2020, My son was able to see the said doctor and was then diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay.

He referred me to cardiologist, urologist and neurologist. For cardiologist, he said my son was fine. Echocardiogram was done and luckily, it was normal. For the urologist, my son needs to have the surgery for his scrotum since it is not descended.

Up to now, he is already 3 years old and we are still having that therapy and Praise God, he can walk now, but no speech.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy was advised to him.

[Galwaybay2]

That is a hard thing to adjust to, the most important thing is to get as much support as you can as early as possible for him to reach his potential. Lots of attention and interaction will stimulate learning.

[Mrs_Teddy]

Hi Kitty. My son was also diagnosed with GDD when he was about 3 due to the fact that he was late hitting his milestones with crawling, walking etc and he had no speech until he was 4 pretty much. I don't know if it is something that they can grow out of (maybe they catch up) but for my son it is ongoing (he is now 8) and although he now doesn't stop talking, he still has speech issues and some delays with his learning and I don't know how long term it will be but it is possible that he will have some issues into adulthood. I think every child is different and can maybe just develop slowly. We are just waiting on results of a head MRI and genetic testing but that may come up with nothing and it may just be one of those things.It may be that your son needs some additional help with schoolwork and speech therapy but it sounds like you are doing everything you can to help him.

[Kitty19870808]

Therapist advised me to start SPED for my son. Hopefully, it will help him. She opened me on the Speech therapy, but she will check first with the SPED.

[Charlie2750 Community friend]

Hello Kitty1987808 and welcome to our space. My son is 35 and had GDD and still is a diagnosis but the delay is wrong because I always thought he would catch up. He lives with us at home and is lovely but he has severe learning disabilities but he copes at a day care centre 5 days a week! If you look through the website I have posted several replies and there are others with same problems. The delay relates to growing but my son did not catch up. He does not read or write but of course everyone may be different and your son may develop skills much later. Charlie

[Charlie2750 Community friend]

Sorry I read your post again and I should add that my son speech was delayed but now he can’t seem to shut up but I don’t mean that in a horrible way but he has an opinion on everything 😊😊❤️

[49Twister in reply to Charlie2750]

Sounds like my son haha, so I know where your coming from.😊He has severe learning disabilities and is very vocal, also lovely but very vulnerable Because of this people overestimate his learning disabilities, which has made life very difficult. He can’t read or write,no idea about money, can’t tell the time, all the basic skills, he is 48 yrs old.

[Kitty19870808 in reply to Charlie2750]

Can’t wait also for my son to speak. For now, he can only mention “mama” and “papa”. All other words are new to him. He still cannot catch up.

[Kitty19870808]

Thank you all for those comments you have. Really appreciated all of you. I will consider those advices you have for me and for my son. God bless you and your family.