[Focus] "My Child Is a Late Talker"... Gwangju Connects Screening and Counseling from Age 2

by Song Bohyeon

Published 14 Apr.2026 09:48(KST)

14.9% of Infants and Young Children Require Additional Assessment
Only 7.9% of the 19.8% At-Risk Group Receive Treatment
Challenges Remain in Linking Assessment to Counseling and Therapy

When parents hear that their child is speaking later than peers or socializing at a slower pace, it can weigh heavily on their minds. This was the case for a parent living in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Although they thought their child should be assessed, they spent some time not knowing where to start. "If I had been able to receive both the assessment and counseling in one go at that time, I would have felt much less lost," the parent said.

This concern is not unique to a few families. According to Save the Children and the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, among approximately 1.71 million infants and young children who received the Korea Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children (K-DST), 11.8% were classified as "follow-up assessment recommended" and 3.1% as "in-depth evaluation recommended." This means a significant number of infants and young children showing signs of developmental delay require additional assessment and management.

The photo is not related to any specific content of the article. Pixabay

However, the rate at which early detection actually leads to treatment remains low. Policy research using National Health Insurance big data found that while 19.8% of children were estimated to be at risk for developmental delay or disability, only 7.9% actually received interventional treatment. This indicates that the connection from early detection to counseling and treatment is insufficient.

Support After Early Detection Is Key

The medical community explains that since development in infancy and early childhood follows a specific sequence, professional evaluation is necessary if a child is late in reaching certain milestones. Developmental delay does not refer to a specific disease, but rather to a state where one or more areas—such as motor skills, language, cognition, or social development—are behind those of peers. If delays are observed in two or more areas, it is considered a general developmental delay.

Warning signs are also clear. Evaluation is recommended if, after 4 to 6 months of age, a child cannot hold their head up properly; if by 9 to 10 months, the child cannot stand while holding on; if after 15 months, the child cannot walk independently; or if, after the age of 2, the child cannot form two-word sentences. It is also important to observe social development if the child avoids eye contact with peers, does not respond much when their name is called, or continues to have difficulty socializing with others.

The causes of developmental delay can be complex, including chromosomal abnormalities, congenital brain development disorders, and premature birth, among others. Treatment is centered on tailored rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational, language, and cognitive therapy, and, if necessary, involves cooperation among multiple medical departments. Experts emphasize that early detection and intervention are critical in infancy and early childhood, as this is when the brain is highly plastic.

Gwangju Expands Developmental Screening to Age 2

Gwangju City is expanding its "Infant and Young Child Development Consulting Support Project" to strengthen early detection of developmental delay and the connection to counseling and treatment. This project identifies infants and young children who show slow developmental progress or maladaptive behaviors at an early stage and connects them to counseling and treatment.

Last year, Gwangju City conducted a pilot project targeting 1,083 three-year-old children enrolled in daycare centers. Of these, 112 received in-depth assessments and 51 received support for professional counseling and treatment referrals. During the implementation process, the need for expanding the target group, providing multilingual services, and strengthening the connection to counseling and treatment was raised.

This year, the eligible age range for support will be expanded from three years old to two years old, targeting about 9,000 children born in 2022 and 2023. The developmental screening period will be moved earlier to increase the effectiveness of early intervention. In addition, Gwangju will collaborate with five district family centers and foreign resident support centers to provide information leaflets in five languages and offer interpretation services during the explanation of in-depth assessment results.

Furthermore, in cooperation with the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, the city will provide up to 12 counseling sessions for 50 infants and young children who need counseling or treatment. This measure aims to reduce the burden on families who need early counseling and treatment.

This project is carried out by the Gwangju City Childcare Comprehensive Support Center. The center places specialized staff and collaborates with seven regional professional counseling centers to provide step-by-step support for developmental screening, in-depth assessments, and referrals for counseling and treatment. Gwangju City is also promoting individual counseling for parents of infants and young children suspected of developmental delay and training for childcare staff on interpreting assessment results.