(by Ann-Marie C. DePalma, CDA, RDH, MEd )

One summer’s day a mom and toddler are traveling to visit grandparents. Since the grandparents live a distance, the duo is traveling by air – the first flight of the young child’s life. Their seatmate during the flight tries to engage the youngster in conversation but couldn’t understand most of what the child was saying, other than she was 2 years old and was excited about flying.  Mom spent the conversation “translating” for the child. The seatmate wondered if this was normal. Would you recognize this as well?

Children are individuals and develop at their own rate in a variety of areas. Whether in speech, motor, cognitive or self-help skills, developmental psychologists have developed ranges for a young child’s development. When a child’s skills fall outside of the range for any developmental stage, the child is considered delayed. Delays occur for a variety of reasons ranging from premature birth to hearing concerns to pandemic related issues. Developmental delays are distinguished from developmental disorders in that disorders are seen when the child’s skills are developing abnormally or have regressed, while delays are when the skills are developing at a slower rate than normal. For example, children displaying speech and language delays, like our young traveler, are often difficult to understand beyond their immediate caregivers for an age-appropriate word vocabulary.

As dental professionals, we are charged with educating our patients, young or old, about various oral and systemic health issues. With a child’s first dental visit occurring at age 1, we can help parents and caregivers spot the signs of delays or disorders and refer to the appropriate health professionals. But would you know what to look for and who to refer to? Depending on your state’s regulations of whether early childhood ends at age 3 or age 5, early childhood delays are evaluated and treated by programs under the state’s department of public health. Once beyond the state’s age requirements, children displaying delays or disorders are evaluated through the local school department’s special education programs and treated appropriately.

Educating ourselves about childhood delays is beneficial for our youngest patients, their parents or caregivers and our practices. Dental practices are often looking to improve patient recruitment and retention. Evaluating and referring young children who may be experiencing developmental delays grows the practice in the eyes of patients and other healthcare professionals.

To learn more about recognizing childhood developmental delays for you or your team contact: annmariedepalma@gmail.com or depalmaannmarie.com

Written by Ann-Marie C. DePalma, CDA, RDH, MEd