Developmental Disability

Developmental disability is about the physical growth of Christabel. She appeared to be growing physically alright but her developmental milestones between the age 0-5 years were delayed. The Ministry of Education, Zambia (2007), developed milestones for child development for the period 0 -5 years. These milestones are given on this page.

I will give the developmental period for milestones and then I will give the progress as observed by the family.

Period 0-3 Months.

She was only able to look at a face and respond rather vigorously to any sharp sound using all four limbs.

Period 4-6 Months

She did not achieve any of the milestones

Period 7-9 Months

None of the milestones were observed but she started smiling responsively and was producing some ooo/aaahhh sound (for 3 months milestones)

Period 10-12 Months

She would pay attention to her name and turn around to rattling sound.

Period 13 – 18 Months

None of the expected milestones were observed but she started sitting without support.

Period 19-24 Months

None of the expected milestones were achieved.

Period 25 - 36 Months

She started to grasp some objects with a lot of stiffness in her hands.

Period 36 - 48 Months

None of the milestones were achieved.

Period 49 -60 Months

None of the expected milestones were achieved by then she was able to speak though the speech was not fluent, was also able to sit without support.

There are six gross motor milestones for a baby which are given below:

4-9 months - Sitting without support;

5-11 Months-Standing with assistance;

5-13 Months- Hands and knees crawling;

6-14 Months- Walking with assistance;

7-17 Months-Standing with assistance; and

8-17 Months-Walking alone.

Christabel was not able to meet any of the above mentioned milestones. However, she was able to sit with assistance between the 13 to 17 months and she was able to sit on her own at 2 years old (24 months). At age 10 years that is when she started crawling on hands and knees. At 16 years, she could stand with assistance. She is unable to walk.



After reading about developmental disability go to disability education.

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