Your four-year-old child just started Pre-K. Every day, they come home excited to share stories about the fun they had in school. But their teacher raises some questions about their progress in the class. She says that your child might have a developmental delay. 

Developmental delays are a common issue for many children. These delays can cause academic difficulties and other concerns. However, with the proper support at school and at home, these children can excel. 

This article explains what developmental delays are and how they affect children. It also outlines how parents can get support for their children. Finally, it explains how a therapeutic school in New York City can help children with developmental delays.

What Is a “Developmental Delay?”

Developmental delay has both medical and legal definitions. 

On the medical side, doctors have lists of developmental milestones that children should meet by a particular age. Because children learn and grow at different rates, being “late” to reach one of these markers isn’t necessarily an issue. However, according to child development experts, if a child is persistently behind or is behind in one or more areas, there’s reason for concern. When these issues appear in a child aged five or under, doctors usually diagnose them with a developmental delay. 

Developmental delays look different in different children. However, common signs of developmental delay can include: 

• Delayed speech
• Trouble understanding language (e.g., following directions)
• Frequent meltdowns, tantrums, or other signs of emotional disability
• Delayed social skills (e.g., trouble making friends, making limited eye contact, etc.) 
• Difficulties with fine motor skills (e.g., holding pencils, using scissors, buttoning clothes)
• Delays in gross motor skills like walking, running, or climbing
• Trouble learning letters, numbers, shapes, and similar early childhood skills 

Legally, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal law that helps children with special needs get customized classroom support. A child who qualifies under the IDEA is given an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. 

To get an IEP, a child must have a qualifying disability. The IDEA requires states to recognize 13 categories of qualifying disabilities. Developmental delay is not one of these 13 categories. However, the IDEA also gives states the authority to add developmental delay if they choose. New York has chosen to add it, so developmental delay is a qualifying category under New York law. However, eligible children can only receive services under this category until age 5. 

In New York, developmental delay covers children who “[have] not attained developmental milestones expected for the child’s chronological age, as measured by qualified professionals using appropriate diagnostic instruments and/or procedures and informed clinical opinion, in one or more of the following areas of development: cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive.” To translate, a developmental delay exists when a doctor, therapist, or similar professional finds that a child is struggling with learning, thinking, physical movement, spoken or written language, or activities of daily living. 

Do I Have to Wait for a Developmental Delay Diagnosis Before Requesting an IEP?

The wording of the New York developmental delay law, especially the “measured by qualified professionals” language, might make you believe that you need a medical evaluation before applying for support under the law. This is not the case. 

Getting an IEP is a multi-step process. The first phase is referring your child for an evaluation. During the evaluation process, professionals will use several tests to measure your child’s development. Then, the entire IEP team – including you, the parent – will meet to discuss the evaluation results and determine if your child qualifies for individualized classroom support. Because evaluation and testing are part of the IEP process, you do not need a medical evaluation before you make your referral. 

A developmental delay diagnosis does not automatically qualify your child for an IEP. If there are no academic, social, or other issues, there is no need for support. On the other hand, the lack of a developmental delay diagnosis doesn’t mean that your child won’t be eligible for an IEP through some other ground in the IDEA. So, while the law matters, the process is generally more concerned with the child’s difficulties than their diagnosis. 

What Do New York and Federal Law Require for Students with Developmental Delays?

Services for developmental delay depend on the child’s age. Children from birth to age two generally don’t attend school, so they cannot receive IEPs. However, they can receive services through an Early Intervention Program. The program will assign teachers, therapists, and other providers to your family. They will develop a plan to help your child, which could include speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other assistance. These services will stop on the child’s third birthday.

Children aged three through five are eligible for IEPs. Their services are provided by the New York Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). After age five, children will no longer be eligible for services provided based on “developmental delay.” They can still get IEP services, but they will need to find another basis for eligibility. 

How Can Therapeutic Schools Help Students with Developmental Delays?

Of course, many children with developmental delays excel in traditional public schools. However, some children need more individualized support than a traditional school can realistically offer. For example, traditional schools have much larger class sizes than traditional schools. Here in New York, the citywide student-teacher ratio is roughly 13:1. However, therapeutic schools typically have much smaller class sizes. Because they have fewer students to watch, teachers in these schools can more easily adapt the curriculum to each student and provide individualized attention.  

Additionally, traditional schools typically view academic and emotional work as separate subjects. This works for many children, but those with serious academic or emotional issues – or both – may need support from multiple directions. Therapeutic schools, on the other hand, combine academics with social-emotional learning. As such, students won’t miss out on academic support when receiving emotional services or vice versa. Additionally, therapeutic schools can provide their services consistently rather than waiting for a specific time or day. 

Every child deserves a learning environment that serves their needs. If your family is looking for a new school for your child, please consider Academics West. We’re a therapeutic school on New York City’s Upper West Side. We view grade classifications a little differently than traditional schools, but our Lower School serves children who would traditionally be in grades K-6. If your child needs help with a developmental delay or other issues, take a look at our virtual tour, then call 212-580-0080 or click here to schedule your visit.