[DryHeat]

We are considering adopting a 3 1/2 year old boy that has been described as having developmental delays in speech, cognitive, and motor skills(global developmental delays). At this time he is functioning much like a 24 month old, so he is approximately 1.5 years behind. He is also described as being very social, smiling a lot, he enjoys interacting and recieving attention. he is currently attending a specialized preschool.

Does anyone have expeience or know anyone that has had a child with similiar delays? We want to know if there are other children that have 'caught' up. We don't know if he will always be 1.5 years behind, in which case he might be able to attend a regular school but will be older than his classmates or if he will most likely be in specialized education.

[SuzBerg]

We have experience with this. First of all I think it depends on if anyone knows why he has the delays or what caused them. In our case we had no idea, could have been neglect, illnesses, etc. Our daughter was 2.5 when she came to our house but much more like 12-18 mos in everything (speech, gross motor, cognitive, etc).

We got her lots of early intervention, special pre-school private pt, ot and speech etc. She is 5 now and about 6 mos behind or on age level in most areas (except gross motor but that is because of her physical disabilities). So 6 mos instead of 18 that she was when she came to us means she has made significant progress.

We were told when she was 2.5 she would most likely always be delayed and probably significantly. Well, she proved them wrong, in fact her pre-school teacher and speech therapist think she will probably not even need special ed services next year when she starts kindergarten.

I definatley think you should go into this with the knowledge of the delays and that they might always be there. If you feel like you can parent a child with delays I say you should move forward and things might change and the child will "catch up" but you should be prepared in case they don't

Just my 2 cents (probably not even worth that much). Best Wishes - Suz

[wishful1]

we got our now son at 3 months old out of the hospital he had global delays sleep apena pulmanary issues and a heart problem he was a mess but with pt ot speech and lots of love and therpays hes come so far but you also have to go into it knowing it may not always be roses . pt and ot must be done at home also it sure does help my son also will most likley start regular k hes now 2 in a special ed program and qwill be till hes 5 hope this helps

[tracy62401]

We brought home our son in August at 2 years and 8 months old. Had him evaluated in September and he was significantly speech delayed and somewhat motor skills delayed. He has the exact same attributes you mention about the child you are considering. He is ETERNALLY smiling and happy and understands absolutely everything anybody says to him. He even talks and talks and we are now (after 4months of ST private pay) understanding more and more every single day. It's wonderful and we have absolutely no doubts at all that this is the child God picked for us. We are about to have him enrolled in a preschool ESE program our county offers through the school system so that he will be able to work on his speech development all day, every day. Do not hesitate on this child if it is just because you are worried about developmental delays at all in my opinion. Our child's issues were due to severe malnutrition for the first 1.5 years of his life. We had his medical records evaluated by an international adoption physician and had tests he requested performed too. This might make you feel more comfortable.

[aldes]

We brought our daughter home @ 3 mos...a micropreemie who survived. It was long believed that all her difficulties were from prematurity & she would "catch up". (I must've heard that 10000times). She hasn't...not that she is incapable of learning, she just stays at the same level of "delayed". However, now that she is in 3rd grade, the language delay is becoming more noticeable by more people & more problematic. It has also come to light that she does not have a very high IQ....both her bmom & bgmom have both been described as "borderline". Our child may have outgrown the prematurity issues and now we are looking at the genetics...who knows? She's had every intervention, therapy & education money can buy & she still struggles, so of course, we do too. The only reason I would change her at all is to make life easier for her, but that's the only reason. We connected from the second she opened those baby blues & there was not then & never will be any regrets. Just don't listen to those who proclaim that it's nothing or the child will grow out of it. It can become a very big deal & it may be forever....or not. Listen to your heart...even a "typical" child can make you crazy lol

[mimberly]

We have a foster daughter who is now 6 years and was placed with us at 3. When she came she had all the issues that you are speaking of. She has had every medical test that was thougt of and nothing has come up. The only thing is that the parent both said that she wasn't fed properly as an infant. She now attends a PPI program and is getting services in school as when we got her she tested at the 18 month range. She also had Reactive Attachment disorder but because of her global delays she is easier to deal with.
She has made great progess but I don't believe she will ever caught up to her birth age. Right now she is closer to the 48 month level and sppech is her main concern. She will still attend her specialized school next year all day. WE are adopting her and she is who she is. She will need advocation and to continue to work to the best of her abilities.

[pshamrick]

OK, I have questions. I mostly just read, but reply occasionally.

My 10yr just went to the Dentist.... His teeth are at age 7. He's been in school since Pre-K but is only in 3rd (2yrs behind). He is emo delayed. He's seen alot, but really understand less than expected. He's a good bluffer. Just how delayed would that be? How could I help him? Does it come from FAS?

My 3yr is also emo delayed. I've been told about 1.5 yrs. Don't know of other delays. Is there a way of finding out? Who do I ask? How can I help her? Does it come from FAS? She is the younger sib to the 10yr.