Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mohamed Elhamadany

Keywords

Global Developmental Delay, GDD, motor milestones, developmental milestones, prognostic effects of GDD, early intervention for GDD, PDMS-2

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Global developmental delay (GDD) is a broad, global disorder in which children do not reach the appropriate gross and fine motor milestones as expected for their age. GDD’s impact can extend beyond motor skills to include speech and language development, cognitive abilities, social and personal skills, and ADL’s. This study aims to investigate the prognostic predictors of developmental and functional improvement of children with GDD. Our study also examines how the prognosis of children diagnosed with GDD will be affected based on therapeutic intervention in order to offer evidence-based recommendations to support children with GDD and their families.

Materials/Methods: A detailed retrospective chart review was conducted on children under the age of 5 years old diagnosed with GDD in pediatric clinics in Grand Forks County in North Dakota. The data collected included, but was not limited to, other medical diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, lifestyle factors, and adherence to therapist recommendations.

Materials/Methods: A detailed retrospective chart review was conducted on children under the age of 5 years old diagnosed with GDD in pediatric clinics in Grand Forks County in North Dakota. The data collected included, but was not limited to, other medical diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, lifestyle factors, and adherence to therapist recommendations.

Conclusion: The findings of this study support the hypothesis that early diagnosis, and consistent, structured intervention significantly improve gross motor and fine motor function in children diagnosed with GDD, suggesting importance of early and sustained physical therapy. Further research on this topic would be beneficial and add to the validity of these results as this study has a relatively small sample size.

Download

Share

COinS