Developmental Delay is characterized as a young child who displays a significant delay in one or more of the following five areas: cognition, communication, physical skills, social emotional functioning and adaptive skills. This delay may not be the result of a significant visual or hearing impairment.

Eligibility *

The current eligibility criteria for Developmental Delay under state law is found in Title 14 Education Delaware Administrative Code Section 925. If a student is found to have a disability, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must also determine the need for special education and related services (6.0 Determination of Eligibility).

According to the Delaware Administrative Code, a developmental delay is a term applied to a young child who exhibits a significant delay in one or more of the following developmental domains: cognition, communication (expressive and receptive), physical (gross motor and fine motor) social emotional functioning and adaptive behavior. A developmental delay shall not be primarily the result of a significant visual or hearing impairment.

Multiple sources and methods of information shall be used in the determination of eligibility for service provision.

Age of Eligibility: The age of eligibility for classification under the developmental delay classification is from the third birth date until the ninth birth date.

* Retrieved from Title 14 Education Delaware Administrative Code.

Helpful Resources

Could my toddler have a Developmental Delay?

What you need to know about Developmental Delays

Office of Early Learning

Delaware Department of Education
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 735-4295
early.learning@doe.k12.de.us