If you're supporting a young child who is taking a little longer to reach their developmental milestones, you might be looking for answers and support.
Sometimes, these challenges work themselves out with time, but other times it could be an indication of something referred to as Global Developmental Delay (GDD). It’s a diagnosis used to describe when a child under five experiences significant delays in two or more areas like talking, moving, learning, or interacting.
The NDIS understands that early intervention can make a huge difference for children with developmental delays. To help you understand what support is available, this guide aims to provide you with clear, supportive information on how the NDIS can help your child and your family.
What exactly is Global Developmental Delay (GDD)?
Global Developmental Delay (GDD) is a term used when a child under the age of five experiences significant delays in two or more developmental areas. These areas can include speech, motor skills (like sitting, walking, and using their hands), cognitive abilities (thinking and learning), social and emotional skills (interacting with others and managing feelings), and play skills.
Essentially, it means a young child is taking longer to reach developmental milestones across multiple aspects of their growth.
It's important to understand that GDD is often used as an initial diagnosis. As a child gets older and more assessments are done, the diagnosis might evolve. For some children, GDD may resolve over time with appropriate support.
For others, it can be an early indicator of an intellectual disability. This is because both conditions involve delays in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviours.
The main difference, especially when children are very young, is how we understand the delays. GDD is about seeing delays in several areas of development.
An intellectual disability diagnosis frequently comes later because it requires more detailed assessments of a child's thinking and how they manage daily life – things that are harder to accurately measure in very young children before they've had more time to develop and engage with standardised testing.
NDIS eligibility for children with Global Developmental Delay
The NDIS supports young children with GDD through its Early Childhood Approach (ECA). Here’s what you need to know about eligibility:
The ECA is designed for children under six years old who have a developmental delay. For children aged six and older, eligibility might require a more formal diagnosis if the delay persists and impacts their functioning.
To be eligible, the child needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The NDIS defines developmental delay (which encompasses GDD) as a delay that is due to a mental or physical impairment, significantly reduces the child's ability to function compared to children of the same age, and requires ongoing support from multiple professionals working together for more than 12 months.
A core principle of the NDIS is the importance of early intervention. Providing support as early as possible in a child's life can have a significant positive impact on their development and future outcomes.
How to access NDIS support
Getting started with the NDIS for developmental delays involves a few key steps:
- Connect with an Early Childhood Partner: These organisations are your initial point of contact for accessing NDIS support for your child. It's important to know that different Early Childhood Partners work in different areas across Australia, so you'll need to find the one that operates in your local region. They can provide valuable information, guidance, and support specifically tailored to your needs throughout the process of accessing the NDIS.
- Gather Supporting Information: You'll need to provide evidence of your child's delays. This might include reports from paediatricians, therapists (like speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists), and early childhood educators.
- Submit an Access Request: Your Early Childhood Partner can assist you in completing and submitting the NDIS Access Request form.
- Assessment Process: The NDIS will review the provided information to determine if your child meets the eligibility criteria for support based on their GDD.
- Plan Development: If your child is found eligible, the NDIS will work with you to create an individualised plan outlining the specific supports and services that will best meet their needs.
What kind of support might be available?
NDIS support is tailored to each individual, so can provide a range of supports for children with developmental delays.
These might include various therapies, such as speech therapy to assist with communication skills, occupational therapy to help with developing daily living and fine motor skills, and physiotherapy to support gross motor skills and movement.
These therapies work to build the skills children need to navigate the challenges associated with developmental delays.
Beyond therapies, the NDIS can also fund early childhood supports. These are programs specifically designed to promote the development and participation of young children with developmental delays in everyday activities and routines. These programs often focus on play-based learning and social interaction.
The NDIS may also provide funding for assistive technology. This may involve devices or equipment to support your child's learning, communication, and independence across various settings. The goal of assistive technology is to make everyday tasks easier for your child and help them participate more fully in life.
Finally, recognising the significant role of parents and carers, the NDIS may also provide funding for support and training for parents and carers. This could involve programs or resources that help you better understand your child's needs, develop strategies to support their development, and connect with other families.
How Like Family can be part of your support network
Like Family is here to help your family. Like Family can offer valuable support to your family and potentially assist with building independence and life skills for the child, depending on the specifics of their NDIS plan.
Our NDIS-verified support workers can help with a range of activities that benefit the whole family, including domestic assistance, cooking and meal preparation, and providing transportation. They can also support older children with activities focused on building independence, like skills training and transportation to appointments or social events.
Discuss your child's NDIS plan with your planner to understand the best ways to use the available support. Our focus on building independence and providing family support can be a valuable addition to your overall support network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Global Developmental Delay (GDD)?
Global Developmental Delay (GDD) is a term used when a child experiences significant delays in two or more areas of their development, such as speech, motor skills, learning, social interaction, and play.
How is Global Developmental Delay different from an intellectual disability?
While both GDD and intellectual disability involve developmental delays, GDD is typically used as an initial diagnosis for young children. An intellectual disability diagnosis often comes later, based on more detailed assessments of a child's thinking and how they manage daily life, which are easier to assess as they get older. Some children with GDD may later be diagnosed with an intellectual disability, while others may see their delays resolve.
Is my child with Global Developmental Delay eligible for NDIS support?
Children under six years old with a developmental delay, including GDD, are generally eligible for support through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECA). For children aged six and older, eligibility may depend on whether the GDD persists and significantly impacts their functioning.
How do I access NDIS support for my child with Global Developmental Delay?
The first step is to connect with an Early Childhood Partner in your local area. They can provide information, guidance, and help you through the NDIS application process. You'll need to gather supporting documentation from professionals involved in your child's care.
What kind of support can the NDIS fund for a child with Global Developmental Delay?
The NDIS can fund a range of supports, including therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. They may also fund early childhood programs, assistive technology, and support or training for parents and carers.
Does Like Family provide support for children with Global Developmental Delay?
Like Family supports families of children with Global Developmental Delay by offering assistance that can benefit the whole family, such as help with household tasks and transportation. Depending on your child's NDIS plan, we may also be able to support them in building independence and life skills, particularly as they get older. Discuss your child's plan with your NDIS planner to see how Like Family's focus on family support and independence skills could be a valuable addition to your support network.
What is early intervention, and why is it important for children with GDD?
Early intervention refers to providing support and services as early as possible in a child's life. It's crucial for children with GDD because it can significantly improve their developmental outcomes and help them reach their full potential. The NDIS Early Childhood Approach is built on the principles of early intervention.
Where can I find my local Early Childhood Partner?
You can find information about Early Childhood Partners on the NDIS website. Search for "NDIS Early Childhood Partners" and your location.
What kind of documentation will I need for the NDIS application?
You'll typically need reports from doctors (like paediatricians), therapists, and early childhood educators who have assessed or worked with your child. These reports should detail your child's developmental delays and needs.
What happens if my child's Global Developmental Delay resolves as they get older?
The NDIS support is based on current needs. If your child's developmental delays lessen significantly, and they no longer meet the eligibility criteria, their NDIS plan may be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. However, the skills and strategies gained through early intervention can have lasting positive effects.