Global Developmental Delay is a term used when a child under the age of 5 shows significant delay in at least two areas of development, such as:
Global Developmental Delay (GDD) does not mean that a child cannot learn. It means that, at this stage, development is progressing more slowly than expected for their age, and that more structured support may be needed to build essential skills.
For many children, GDD is a working diagnosis in the early years. As children grow older (often around ages 5–6), clinicians may refine the diagnosis to something more specific, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Specific Learning Disorder, or ADHD, or, in some cases, remove the diagnosis altogether if development has caught up sufficiently.
What matters most is early recognition and appropriate support. With the right approach, children with developmental delays can learn new skills, gain greater independence, and participate meaningfully at home, in school, and in the community.
Gain an in-depth understanding of GDD, navigating the support landscape in Singapore, and options for your child in our in-depth GDD guide.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a well-researched, systematic approach that breaks down skills into small steps and uses positive reinforcement to help children learn.
For children with GDD, ABA therapy is:
Parents often find ABA especially effective because it breaks down complex skills into manageable steps, making learning clear and achievable for children who may otherwise struggle in group settings.
At Tesserae, we believe that collaborative ABA is highly effective for children with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) because it focuses on building foundational, functional skills in a structured and developmentally appropriate way.
For children with GDD, this evidence-based approach supports progress across key developmental areas, such as communication, learning readiness, adaptive skills, and emotional regulation, by breaking skills down into manageable steps and teaching them systematically across different settings.
We focus on helping you see improvements in:
Build practical skills such as feeding, dressing, toileting readiness, and following daily routines that support independence.
Guide your child to cope with changes, manage frustration, and feel more secure during transitions and unfamiliar situations.
Develop early skills such as sitting with a group, following classroom routines, imitating actions, and responding to simple expectations that prepare your child for preschool and school environments.
We empower children through choice and collaboration, never by forcing compliance.
Our 1-1 home-based or centre-based therapy is compassionate and engaging, with zero use of punishment or aversive methods.
We celebrate strengths, focus on quality of life, and never aim to “fix” GDD or suppress natural behaviours.
All programmes are carried out by highly qualified BCBAs and BCBA-Ds, ensuring ethical, evidence-based care.
Our collaborative ABA model works closely with our ecosystem of partners in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and more, giving families consistent, coordinated support.
Get in touch with us and book your initial discovery call. We’ll respond within 1 working day so we can start supporting your child without delay.
Meet with one of our BCBAs to gain a preliminary understanding of your child’s background, strengths, and challenges, as well as how we can support your child.
Our team uses structured tools and observations to assess your child’s current skills. From this, we design a customised plan that matches your child’s needs, learning style, and personality.
Once therapy starts, we set clear goals (IEP) and review progress regularly. Parents receive updates through monthly reports and session notes, so you know exactly how your child is growing. Data is recorded daily to ensure progress is measurable and consistent.
Click to learn more about GDD or our screening process.
Yes, Global Developmental Delay is generally recognised as a developmental disability when it significantly affects a child’s daily functioning. That may sound worrying at first, but in practice, this classification helps open doors to:
Thinking of GDD as a developmental disability is not about labelling your child negatively. It is about ensuring they are eligible for the resources and support they need to develop to their fullest potential.
Children with GDD benefit most from structured, consistent and intensive early intervention that targets multiple developmental domains.
The 3 main types of therapy that support children with GDD are:
At Tesserae, we take a collaborative ABA approach, working closely with other therapists to support children with GDD. By building strong foundations for learning, such as attention, engagement, and readiness to learn, ABA helps enable the work of other disciplines and supports children in making steady progress and participating more meaningfully across everyday environments.
A screening involves using questionnaires and rating scales to identify individuals who might have GDD. It’s a preliminary step that helps determine if a full diagnostic evaluation is necessary, and provides good guidance on the support required.
A diagnosis, on the other hand, is a clinical process conducted by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. It involves a thorough evaluation that includes:
This comprehensive approach helps to confirm the presence of GDD and rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.
If your primary goal is to understand whether your child may benefit from additional support and what types of intervention might be helpful, a screening is often a sufficient first step. A formal diagnosis may be appropriate when there is a need for clearer clinical clarity, official documentation, or access to specific services and supports.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper assessment and guidance.
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