How long does therapy take for developmental delays?

The duration of therapy depends on the child’s age, current skills, underlying causes and consistency of home follow-up. Some children improve within a few months, while others benefit from long-term support. Active parent involvement usually speeds up progress.

How do I know if my child needs evaluation?

If you notice delays in speech, social skills, behaviour, learning, motor skills, or if your child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones, an evaluation is recommended. Early assessment helps identify developmental needs and ensures timely intervention.

Do you provide therapy services to very young children?

Yes. Pranaah Child Development Centre provides early intervention and therapy services for infants and toddlers. Early support can significantly improve developmental outcomes.

What should I do if I do not know which therapy is most appropriate for my child?

A comprehensive assessment is the best way to determine which therapy your child needs. At Pranaah, specialists evaluate your child's strengths and developmental challenges and recommend the right intervention plan.

Assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by qualified professionals to understand a child's developmental, cognitive, behavioural, speech, and motor abilities. It helps identify concerns and guides the therapy plan.

How long does an assessment take?

Most assessments take 45–90 minutes depending on the child's age, cooperation, and the type of testing required. In some cases, multiple sessions may be needed.

What do I need to bring for the evaluation of my child?

Parents are advised to bring the child's medical history, previous reports, school feedback, birth details, and any relevant documents. This helps specialists make an accurate developmental profile.

Can I bring other children to the assessment session?

For best results, it is recommended to attend the session with only the child being assessed. A quiet, distraction-free environment helps the therapist conduct accurate evaluations.

Should both parents attend the assessment session?

Yes, if possible. Both parents attending helps provide complete background information and ensures that everyone clearly understands the findings and recommendations.

Do I get a report after assessment, and can I submit it to my child’s school?

Yes. After the assessment, a detailed report is provided. This report can be submitted to your child’s school, paediatrician, or other professionals for support and academic planning.

How long is the assessment report valid?

Reports are generally valid for 6–12 months depending on how quickly your child progresses. However, if there are major concerns or rapid developmental changes, an updated evaluation may be needed sooner.

Will the therapist discuss findings with parents after the assessment?

Yes. After the assessment, the therapist will explain the findings, discuss your child's strengths and needs, and recommend the best intervention or therapy plan.

What Causes Developmental Delays in Children? A Parent-Friendly Guide From Pranaah CDC

Q: What are the early signs of developmental delay?

Early signs of developmental delay may include no response to name, delayed speech, limited eye contact, repetitive play, frequent tantrums without clear reason, poor focus, difficulty interacting with others, slow walking or motor skills and sensory sensitivity to sound, touch or textures. If you notice two or more signs, a developmental screening is recommended.

Q: What causes developmental delays?

Developmental delays can be caused by genetic factors, prematurity, birth complications, sensory processing difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, hearing or vision issues, excessive screen time, lack of stimulation or emotional and environmental stress. In some children, there is no specific medical cause and the delay is an individual variation in development.

Q: Is developmental delay the parents’ fault?

No. Developmental delays are usually the result of multiple biological and environmental factors and are not the fault of parents. With the right information and guidance, parents can play a powerful role in supporting the child’s progress.

Q: How is developmental delay diagnosed?

Developmental delay is identified using developmental screening tools, milestone checklists, sensory and behaviour assessments, parent interviews and observation-based play assessments. At a centre like Pranaah Child Development Centre, the goal of assessment is to understand what the child needs, not to label the child.

Q: Can developmental delays improve?

Yes. Many children show significant improvement with Early Intervention, especially when support begins before the age of six. Therapies such as Occupational Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Early Intervention programs, social skills training and parent guidance help children catch up and function more confidently.

Q: What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is a structured program for young children that supports speech, social skills, motor skills, learning skills and emotional regulation through play-based, scientific approaches. It is one of the most effective ways to support children with developmental delays.

Q: When should a parent seek Early Intervention?

Parents should consider Early Intervention if their child has delayed speech, poor eye contact, does not point or wave, has frequent tantrums, limited play skills, sensory issues or difficulty following instructions. If a parent feels something is not right, it is better to book a screening early.

Q: What therapies help developmental delays?

Therapies that help developmental delays include Occupational Therapy for sensory and motor skills, Behaviour Therapy for attention, social skills and routines, Early Intervention programs for overall development, parent coaching, play-based learning and school readiness training. Plans are personalised for each child.

Team Pranaah
3 days ago
5 min read

What Causes Developmental Delays in Children? A Parent-Friendly Guide From Pranaah CDC

Every child grows at their own pace. Some talk early, some walk early, and some take a little more time.But when delays become significant, parents start worrying—and that worry is valid.

At Pranaah Child Development Centre (Pranaah CDC), we meet many parents who ask:

“Why is my child not talking yet?”
“Is it normal that my child avoids eye contact?”
“Why does my child still have tantrums?”
“Is this a developmental delay?”

Understanding the cause helps families choose the right support.Below is a clear, compassionate explanation of why developmental delays happen, based on early childhood science and clinical experience.

What Causes Developmental Delays in Children? A Parent-Friendly Guide From Pranaah CDC

1. Genetic & Biological Factors

Some children may have delays due to genetic or biological differences. These include:

Down syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
Global developmental delay
Neurological conditions
Brain differences present from birth

These children often require regular therapy and structured developmental support.At Pranaah CDC, such children receive Early Intervention + Occupational Therapy + Behaviour Therapy as needed.

2. Prematurity & Birth-Related Causes

Children born early or with complications may have slow development because their nervous system needs more time to mature.

Examples include:

Premature birth
Low birth weight
Lack of oxygen during birth
NICU stay
Jaundice-related complications

These children usually benefit greatly from Early Intervention (EI) when started early.

3. Sensory Processing Difficulties

When the brain struggles to manage sensory input (sound, touch, light, movement), children may show:

Delayed speech
Poor attention
Limited eye contact
Tantrums
Avoidance of touch or textures
Hyperactivity or restlessness

This is one of the most common reasons for developmental delays today.Occupational Therapy plays a key role in helping these children regulate their senses.

4. Autism Spectrum & Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may show delays in:

Social interaction
Speech and gestures
Play skills
Response to name
Imitation
Communication

Early identification + structured Early Intervention leads to major improvement.

Signs that need Early Intervention:✔ No eye contact✔ Limited response to name✔ No pointing✔ Repetitive play✔ Speech delay✔ Preferring objects over people

At Pranaah CDC, Early Intervention under Dr. Devi Raj and the OT team helps build communication, social skills and behaviour.

5. Environmental & Emotional Factors

A child’s emotional environment affects development more than people realize.

Developmental delays can arise due to:

Lack of stimulation
Excessive screen time
Limited interaction at home
Inconsistent routines
High stress in family
Emotional trauma or insecurity
Overuse of gadgets instead of human interaction

These children often improve beautifully with:✔ Parent guidance✔ Structured routines✔ Communication-rich activities✔ Reduced screen time

6. Hearing or Vision Difficulties

If a child cannot hear or see well, they may:

Talk late
Respond less
Struggle socially
Show limited play
Become frustrated
Show behaviour changes

A simple hearing/vision check solves half the confusion.

7. No Clear Cause — Just a Developmental Variation

Many children have isolated delays without any disorder such as:

Late talking
Slow expressive language
Coordination difficulty
Shyness
Slow-to-warm-up personality

These children often catch up with Early Intervention + OT + Behavioural guidance.

This is why developmental screening is important — not to label, but to support.

Early Intervention: The Most Important Solution

No matter the cause, EARLY HELP = BETTER OUTCOMES.

Early Intervention helps children:

Improve speech
Build social skills
Reduce tantrums
Improve behaviour
Strengthen learning
Develop communication
Boost confidence
Reduce future academic struggles

At Pranaah CDC, Early Intervention includes:✔ Occupational Therapy✔ Behaviour Therapy✔ Play-based learning✔ Sensory integration✔ Parent coaching✔ Social skill training✔ School readiness training

With the right support, children can achieve significant progress.

A Message for Parents

Developmental delay is not your fault.It is not a sign of poor parenting.It is simply a signal that your child needs a little more help.

And that help is available.

If you’re unsure whether your child has a delay, a developmental screening at Pranaah CDC will give you clarity, direction and peace of mind.

Your child can grow.Your child can thrive.And you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Pranaah is here for you.

FAQ – Developmental Delays in Children (Parent-Friendly Guide)

By Dr. Devi Raj – Psychologist, Licensed Early Interventionist | Pranaah Child Development Centre

1. What is developmental delay in children?

Developmental delay means a child is not reaching expected milestones (speech, social skills, motor skills, behaviour, or learning) at the usual time.It is not a diagnosis — it’s a signal that the child needs extra support.

2. What are the early signs of developmental delay?

Parents should watch for:

No response to name
Delayed speech
Limited eye contact
Repetitive play
Tantrums without reason
Poor focus
Difficulty interacting with others
Slow walking or motor skills
Sensory sensitivity (sound, touch, textures)

If you notice two or more signs, screening is recommended.

3. What causes developmental delays?

Delays may be caused by:

Genetic factors
Prematurity
Birth complications
Sensory processing difficulties
Autism spectrum conditions
Hearing or vision issues
Excessive screen time
Lack of stimulation
Emotional or environmental stress. Sometimes, there is no specific medical cause — just individual variation.

4. Is developmental delay the parents’ fault?

No.Delays are caused by multiple biological and environmental factors.Parents are never to be blamed — they simply need the right guidance to support their child’s growth.

5. How is developmental delay diagnosed?

At Pranaah CDC, we use:

Developmental screening tools
Milestone checklists
Sensory & behaviour assessments
Parent interviews
Observation-based play assessments

Assessment helps identify what the child needs, not label them.

6. Can developmental delays improve?

Yes — most children show excellent improvement with Early Intervention, especially when started before age 6.Therapies like Occupational Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Early Intervention, Social Skill Training and parent guidance help children catch up.

7. What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is a structured program that helps children develop speech, social behaviour, motor skills, learning skills, and emotional regulation using play-based scientific approaches.

It is the most effective support for any developmental delay.

8. When should a parent seek Early Intervention?

Seek help if your child has:

Speech delay
Poor eye contact
No pointing or waving
Tantrums or irritability
Limited play skills
Sensory issues
Difficulty following instructions

If your heart feels something is not right, screening is the safest first step.

9. What therapies help developmental delays?

At Pranaah CDC, children receive:

Occupational Therapy (sensory & motor skills)
Behaviour Therapy (attention, social skills, routines)
Early Intervention Programs (overall development)
Parent Coaching
Play-based learning
School readiness training

Therapy plans are personalised for every child.

10. How long does therapy take?

Every child progresses differently.Some children improve within months, while others need long-term support depending on their needs.Parent involvement accelerates progress significantly.

11. Is therapy painful or stressful for children?

No.Therapy at Pranaah CDC is play-based, child-friendly and enjoyable.Children learn through activities, games, movement, sensory play and guided interaction.

12. Is developmental delay the same as autism?

No.A child may have developmental delay without autism.However, some delays can be associated with ASD.A professional assessment helps identify the right path.

13. Can too much screen time cause developmental delay?

Yes.Excessive screen time can delay speech, reduce eye contact, affect sleep, cause sensory overload and increase behaviour issues.Structured routines + screen limits help children improve quickly.

14. What should parents do if they notice a delay?

The safest steps are:

Book a developmental screening
Follow an Early Intervention plan
Reduce screen time
Increase interactive play
Follow parent guidance given by therapists
Maintain home routines

15. Where can I get developmental screening in Kollam?

At Pranaah Child Development Centre, screening and EI programs are led by Dr. Devi Raj, Licensed Early Interventionist, along with a skilled team of Occupational Therapists and Behaviour Therapists.