Can a 10 year old Developmentally Delayed child ever catch up?

Question

Can a child learn to write and read and play and talk this late??

He has OT AND Speech and an IEP. He has a lot of autistic characteristics, but not the diagnosis yet.

He doesn't talk much at all, but knows how to. He doesn't seem to understand directions, or questions. He has very poor eye contact. He doesn't play with toys, just spins them on his finger. He can write barely like a kidnergardner, and he knows some sight words.

When I adopted him a few years ago, I really thought maybe...but now I wonder if my expectations are too high on the guy. What do you think?

Answer 1

he may always be behind in development as opposed to his peers but yes he will eventually . it really depends on his previous experience in schooling and how things go from here on out. but it sounds like he is 5 or so years behind. you may not see big results until he hits adulthood but hang in there!

Answer 2

Probably not. He'll have social probs.

Answer 3

No, individuals with DD do not catch up to their chronological age BUT they DO learn new skills and go through the same developmental stages as individuals who are considered "normal."  They just get there at a much slower pace.  For some individuals, in takes a few short years but for others it takes decades.  Other individuals appear "stuck" at a particular stage of development but they do grow in other areas.  It isn't unusual for children with DD or some type of Autism Spectrum Disorder to have a type of Apraxia, which is a motor planning disorder that affects speech production.  In this case, it could be a Verbal Apraxia, meaning it is difficult for a person to initiate words/sentences on their own but can do so in imitiation or a type of drill/practice response.  Check out http://www.apraxia-kids.org/ .  You will learn more about this.  

Has your child seen a neurologist?  If he was adopted, do you know if there was any head trauma, prenatal exposure to drugs, etc...?  These are factors that may provide answers to your child's neurological development and expectations.  For example, if there is trauma to the left side of the brain that is responsible for language, then he may always have problems in that area. The same goes for damage to the motor cortex of the brain, which controls movements of hands and feet, which could give you an explanation as to why he has fine motor issues.  

You need to speak with your school psychologist, OT, and SLP regarding your concerns with your child's development and display of behaviors similar to an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Request an evaluation to rule out an ASD. Consider seeing a private OT or SLP in addition to the therapies he receives at school.  Team up with all therapists, educators, psychologists, and doctors who are involved with your child.  In my professional experience as a pedaitric speech-language pathologist in a outpatient rehabilitation setting and as a public school speech-language therapist, I found that working with a team of people helped my client's/student's speech, language, and motor skills improve because everyone was on the same page.

Answer 4

It is possible for a developmentally delayed child to catch up with the right amount of therapy to assist in his development.

Answer 5

Wow, from what you write, the school should be doing a LOT more than what they are doing.

Go to this message board for lots of great help --  

http://www.millermom.proboards107.com/in...

Answer 6

As a teachers point of view I would first  have your child tested. I am sure the school board could do that for you or recommend a place to have him tested. I would also recommend some (Christian) counseling for him. I am not a professional counselor, but I have had some counseling courses. After working with children for about twenty four years you recognize some problems in a child. Please do not take this a though I am a professional. I am only giving you my thoughts from what you have wrote.  He may have some issues that have occurred in his life before you adopted him (no fault  of yours). Only a (Christian) counselor can deal with these. Having dealt with a few adopted children, I have seen them to be with drawn  and even slow learning until some one lovely sat down with to encourage them to open up about their past.  I do not know your child, but it sounds like that this may be the case there. A lot of adopted children (those that I have worked with)  have guilt and anger stored up in side of them due to the fact their parents left them or could not take care of them. They even at times blame themselves for their parents down fall. Your expectations are not to high of him. This shows me that you do love him and want the best for him. This young man needs a lot of encouragement and love. I encourage you first to start with some counseling and having him tested. Then you need to remain faithful and strong for him. Learn how far you can push (for lack of a better word) to succeed . Try not to frustrate him, but reward him when he accomplishes the task given.  I would also recommend teaching him reading through phonics. When a child learns to read and have fun reading their other skills will go up. I hope I have been of some help to you. Please e-mail through my web site if you need any further help. On my web site you may find some useful things for helping him with his education. My web site is for home schoolers and families that desire to home school their children. My web site link is below.  Keep up the good work.

Answer 7

at this point-it is unlikely that he will catch up--

but, there is hope for significant improvement and a reasonable chance he will increase his level of independence