Understanding Autism,My Child Has GDD! Is He/She Autistic!?

The short answer is: No. It’s not always the case.

More importantly though, this is never the best reaction a parent can have if their children has been officially diagnosed with some form of global developmental delay. In fact, it even does disservice to those actually do have autism.

As always, the final authority on the matter is certified diagnosis and anything less is a risky assumption.

On the other hand, the reason for why GDD and autism are often conflated is that those with the latter condition automatically have some degree of GDD in several areas. Furthermore, autism comes in many varieties just like different forms of GDD.

How do parents tell them apart (and keep themselves from jumping to bad conclusions)?

Well, aside from just getting a proper diagnosis, keep these facts in mind:

1. GDD can be exclusively to one area.

More often than not, the developmental delays resulting from autism and other brain conditions are across various areas such as communication, motor skills, learning etc.

On the other hand, it is quite possible that your child could be struggling in just one area (such as in the case of learning disabilities like dyslexia and dyscalculia).

Parents should also remember that every child develops at their own pace, and differences in one skill do not necessarily indicate a broader developmental condition. For example, a child might take longer to develop fine motor skills, affecting their ability to hold a pencil, use scissors or manage buttons. However, they may demonstrate age-appropriate language, social interaction and understanding in other situations.

Observing which skills a child finds challenging can help parents communicate their concerns more clearly to professionals. Keeping track of developmental milestones, everyday activities and areas where a child needs additional support can provide useful information during an assessment. Rather than focusing on a single difficulty, professionals can consider the child’s overall developmental profile and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.

2. A child with GDD can still function adequately in unaffected areas.

Say, for example, your child has delays in coordination and motor skills, but can listen and communicate as normally as everyone else. Clearly, your child is not necessarily autistic! They may need assistance in movement, but you won’t have to struggle understanding them or give them instructions. You may not also worry too much about how they will conduct themselves at school.

Similarly, a child experiencing delays in one developmental area may demonstrate strengths in other areas. They might understand instructions, engage in conversations, enjoy group activities or solve problems effectively while continuing to require assistance with particular physical or learning tasks. Recognising these differences allows parents to understand their child’s individual needs without making assumptions about their abilities.

However, it is important to remember that autism presents differently in different children. Some autistic children develop spoken language early, demonstrate strong academic skills or manage certain daily activities independently. Others may experience difficulties with communication, social interaction, sensory experiences or adapting to changes in routine.

Therefore, a child’s ability to communicate or perform well in certain areas does not automatically rule out autism. The key is to consider the broader pattern of development and behaviour rather than relying on one skill or observation.

Parents can support this process by sharing specific examples of how their child communicates, learns, plays and interacts with others. These observations can help professionals understand where the child is thriving and where additional support may be beneficial.

3. Autism is more known for repetitive behaviours and tics compared to GDD.

Repetitive and restrictive behaviours are pretty much a major symptom for autism, while GDD does not. And in a way, this is generally why autistic individuals tend to draw more attention and concern. Professionals will often notice far more symptoms for it.

GDD, on the other hand, can often be confused with late blooming. This is why when professionals do a diagnosis for GDD, the focus is mostly on whether a child is just delayed in at least two areas of development. It is also quite possible to have another diagnosis after a child gets older to see if they still experience the delay.

Parents should understand that repetitive behaviours associated with autism can include repeating certain movements, preferring predictable routines, focusing intensely on particular interests or finding unexpected changes difficult to manage. Some children may also experience differences in sensory processing, such as being unusually sensitive to certain sounds, textures, lights or everyday environmental experiences.

These characteristics can vary considerably between individuals. Not every autistic child displays the same behaviours, and the presence of a repetitive behaviour alone does not establish an autism diagnosis. Professionals assess these characteristics alongside differences in social communication and interaction, developmental history and other relevant observations.

Children with GDD may also display behaviours that concern their parents, particularly when communication difficulties make it harder for them to express their needs. For instance, a child who struggles to communicate frustration may cry, withdraw or become upset when a familiar activity changes. Such behaviour should be considered in the context of the child’s overall development rather than immediately attributed to autism.

4. Delays are not the same as disorders.

Disorders are generally permanent and therefore, require caregiving even in later life (especially in the case of Level 3 autistics). Delays, however, do stand a better chance when it comes to intervention helping a child catch up with their peers.

Developmental delay refers to a child taking longer than expected to acquire particular skills. Depending on the underlying factors, the child’s developmental progress may improve with time, targeted support and appropriate intervention. Some children make considerable progress, while others continue to need assistance as they grow older.

Again, while there are many cases where GDD and autism overlap, it is not entirely safe to assume that the former is automatically a sign of the latter.

When consulting a professional for a diagnosis, make it very clear which one you are trying to determine. That way, you will now if future testing is needed or what type of intervention you can already apply. And in any case, diagnosis can always call for early intervention and support programs like Tomatis®.

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