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Global Developmental Delay Support

Global Developmental Delay Support

Helping children build the skills they need to learn, communicate and thrive.

Are you concerned that your child isn’t reaching developmental milestones as expected? Perhaps they’re delayed in more than one area — communication, play, feeding, social interaction, learning, emotional regulation or independence.

When developmental concerns affect multiple areas, it can feel overwhelming working out what support they need. We provide family-centred support for children with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) across the Central Coast.

Leana and a child playing with puppets during developmental therapy
About

What is Global Developmental Delay?

Global Developmental Delay (GDD) is a term used when a young child experiences significant delays across two or more areas of development — which may include communication and language, speech, social interaction, play, feeding, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, emotional regulation and self-help skills.

Children with GDD learn and develop at their own pace and often benefit from additional support to build foundational skills in the early years. Importantly, every child is unique — a diagnosis does not define your child or determine what they can achieve.

When to seek support

Signs Your Child May Benefit

Every child develops differently, but some signs may indicate that additional support would be beneficial.

Communication & language

Is not talking yet
Uses fewer words than expected
Is difficult to understand
Has difficulty following instructions
Struggles to communicate wants and needs
Appears behind peers in communication

Social & play

Prefers to play alone most of the time
Has difficulty engaging with others
Struggles with turn-taking or shared attention
Finds it difficult to learn through play
Difficulty participating in group activities

Feeding & oral motor

Is a very selective eater
Has feeding difficulties
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Oral motor challenges
Finds mealtimes stressful

Milestones & regulation

Delayed across multiple developmental areas
Needs additional support learning new skills
Not progressing as expected compared to peers
Frequent emotional outbursts or meltdowns
Finds transitions and change difficult

If you’re unsure whether your child’s development is on track, an assessment can provide clarity, guidance and practical next steps.

Our approach

Supporting the Whole Child

We focus on supporting the whole child rather than a single developmental area.

Child-led and play-based
Family-centred
Neuroaffirming
Strengths-based
Evidence-informed
Individualised to your child’s needs

Rather than focusing only on challenges, we build on your child’s strengths while helping them develop new skills, confidence and independence.

What to expect

Assessment & Therapy

1

Assessment

Helping us understand your child’s unique developmental profile. We may assess:

Communication, language and speech
Play and interaction skills
Feeding and oral motor skills
Social engagement and emotional regulation
Attention, participation and milestones
2

Therapy Sessions

Engaging, meaningful and relevant to everyday life. May focus on:

Communication development
Play and social interaction
Feeding skills
Emotional regulation and participation
Parent coaching and education
Related support

Supporting the Whole Child

Many children with Global Developmental Delay benefit from a combination of services:

Early Intervention Speech Therapy

Supporting babies, toddlers and preschool children during the most important years of development.

Speech & Language Therapy

Helping children understand language, use words, combine sentences and communicate more confidently.

Feeding Therapy

Supporting children who experience feeding difficulties, fussy eating, food refusal, gagging or stressful mealtimes.

Autism & Neurodiversity Support

Neuroaffirming support focused on communication, connection, play, regulation and participation.

Parent Training & Education

Practical coaching to help parents support communication, feeding, emotional regulation and development at home.

Managing Challenging Behaviours

Understanding the reasons behind meltdowns, tantrums and routine refusal, with practical strategies that support emotional regulation and communication.

Methods

Therapy Approaches We May Use

DIR®/Floortime

Engagement, communication and emotional development through play.

Theraplay

Connection, confidence and regulation through structured play.

Sensory Stimulation Strategies

Support where sensory differences impact development.

Language & Speech Development

Communication, language and interaction skills.

NDT Principles

Where movement, posture or tone impact participation or feeding.

Why early support

Why Early Support Matters

The early years provide the greatest opportunity for learning and development. Early support can help children:

Build communication skills
Improve participation in everyday activities
Develop social and play skills
Strengthen feeding abilities
Improve emotional regulation
Increase confidence and independence
Prepare for school and future learning
Why RTC

Why Families Choose RTC Speech Pathology

Individualised therapy plans
Family-centred, neuroaffirming care
Play-based learning opportunities
Practical home strategies
Experience supporting complex developmental needs
Multiple therapy approaches under one service
Where we work

Areas We Support Across the Central Coast

Tumbi Umbi · Erina · Gosford · Terrigal · Tuggerah
Woy Woy · Wyong · Berkeley Vale · Killarney Vale · and surrounding communities

Telehealth appointments may also be available for families across NSW where appropriate.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Developmental delay may affect a single area of development. Global Developmental Delay refers to significant delays across two or more developmental areas.

No. Many children access therapy before receiving a formal diagnosis.

Absolutely. Every child develops at their own pace and, with appropriate support, many children make meaningful gains across multiple developmental areas.

Yes. Communication, sensory and developmental differences can contribute to frustration, emotional regulation challenges and behavioural difficulties.

Absolutely. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children generalise skills into everyday life.

We support babies, toddlers and young children, with a strong focus on early intervention and developmental support.

Get started

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. If your child is experiencing delays across multiple areas of development, early support can make a meaningful difference.