Developmental delay is a disability category used in Pennsylvania for infants, toddlers and preschool age children. While all children grow and change at their own rate, some children may experience delays in their development that can be cause for concern. Young children with developmental delays typically have skills below their same age peers in the ability to think and learn, move, understand, talk and express needs, relate to others, eat, dress, take care of themselves, or solve problems.
Developmental Delay and Preschool Age Children: PA Chapter 14 Regulations define developmental delay as follows: "a child who is less than the age of beginners and at least three years of age is considered to have a developmental delay when one of the following exists:
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The child's score, on a developmental assessment device, on an assessment instrument that yields a score in months, indicates that the child is delayed by 25% of the child's chronological age in one or more developmental areas.
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The child is delayed in one or more of the developmental areas, as documented by test performance of 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on standardized tests."
Developmental Delay and Infants/Toddlers: PA Regulations Early Intervention Services Chapter 4226 define developmental delay as follows:
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Delay of 25% of the child's chronological age in one or more developmental areas or
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Developmental delay in one or more of the developmental areas as documented by1.5 standard deviations below the mean on standardized test
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is responsible for providing services to infants and toddlers, defined as children from birth through two years of age. Contact the Base Service Unit at 724-891-2827 for information.
The HASD is responsible for providing services to preschool children from ages three through five. These services are provided by the BVIU. Contact the BVIU for screening at 724-774-7800 or the HASD at 724-375-6691, ext. 3009 for more information.