Signs of delayed mental development in children

The signs and symptoms associated with mental retardation or delayed mental development (in English: Intellectual disability) in children vary depending on the condition or level of disability. In fact, most of those affected share an inability to practice daily activities, and poor participation and interaction in family, school, and community activities, in addition to other symptoms and signs, It is worth noting that signs and symptoms may be noticed early in advanced or severe cases, but this does not necessarily mean that the course of the condition's progression can be predicted later.

Common signs and symptoms

The most prominent signs and symptoms of delayed mental development in children are the following:

Delayed speech, or suffering from speech difficulties.
Lagging behind the rest of their peers by sitting, walking, or crawling.
Difficulty understanding social rules.
Difficulty remembering events or things.
Low IQ of less than 70.
Difficulty realizing the consequences of their actions.
Difficulty solving the problems they face.
The child's behavior conflicts with his age; That is, the child behaves in a way that is not appropriate for his age.
Loss of curiosity to know or discover things.
Inability to live an independent life; Because they are unable to take care of themselves, or communicate and interact with others.
Slowness in learning some life skills; Such as eating, toilet training, and getting dressed.

physical symptoms

The most prominent symptoms and physical characteristics that indicate delayed mental development in children are the following:

Unusual facial features.
Deformities in the hands and feet.
Macrocephaly, or small head size (Microcephaly).

Behavioral symptoms

Children with delayed mental development may suffer from some behavioral problems, which are represented by the following symptoms:

Agressive behavior.
Child withdrawal from social activities.
Difficulty paying attention and concentrating.
The child's dependence on others.
Behaving in behaviors to attract attention.
Loss of emotional control.
Depression and frustration; In adolescence.
Stubbornness.
Tendency to self-harm.
Psychotic disorders.
Low self-esteem or esteem.
Passivity.

Other signs

Other signs of delayed mental development in children include:

Drooling.
vomiting;
idleness.
Tongue protrusion.
Failure to thrive.

Signs of severe mental developmental delay

Children with severe cases of delayed mental development may suffer from some symptoms and other health problems, including the following:

epileptic seizures;
Problems with the child’s motor skills.
Mood disorders such as autism, anxiety, and others.
The child suffers from vision or hearing problems.

Reasons to see a doctor

It is recommended to consult a specialist doctor to follow up on the child’s condition, and if you notice any problem in the child, you can go to the specialist pediatrician, or follow up with early intervention centers for children under 3 years old, or public schools for children over 3 years old.