Clínica VivaldiFree call

Home · Resources · Disorders A–Z · Global developmental delay

Neurodevelopmental

Global developmental delay

Diagnosis for children under five years of age who do not reach the expected milestones in several areas (motor, language, social, cognitive) and who cannot yet be reliably assessed. It requires follow-up and reassessment later.

Common signs

Late to sit, walk or talkLittle play or interaction for their ageDifficulties in several areas at once

Tips

For you

  1. See the paediatrician and ask for early intervention as soon as possible
  2. Encourage language by talking to them, reading and naming what you're doing
  3. Keep a note of progress and questions to share with professionals

For family and friends

  1. Play and talk with them every day, even if only for a short while
  2. Share what you notice with the paediatrician without waiting

When to ask for help

  1. If they lose words or skills they already had
  2. If at 12 months they aren't babbling or pointing

Test for families

For parents or relatives: answer thinking about the child or person you are worried about, over the last few weeks. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Took longer than expected to sit up or walk
2. Says fewer words than other children their age
3. Responds little when called by name
4. Plays little with toys or other people
5. Finds it hard to imitate gestures or sounds
6. Understands few simple instructions
7. Finds it hard to use their hands to pick up small objects
8. The paediatrician or nursery has noticed some delay

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or savePlena inclusión: intellectual disability (Spain)Free external resourceFree guide: Childhood and youthFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Intellectual disabilityNeurodevelopmentalLanguage disorderNeurodevelopmentalSpeech sound disorderNeurodevelopmentalStuttering (fluidity disorder of childhood onset)Neurodevelopmental

Would you like to talk it through with a professional?

Book a first appointment with our team of psychologists, in person in Valencia or online from anywhere in Spain. If you're not sure where to start, ask for a free guidance call.

Free callWhatsApp +34 611 07 74 69

Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.