Developmental Delays In Children
Developmental Delays in children are defined as a developmental delay when a child has not met a milestone by the expected age and time period.
Not meeting developmental milestones at the same rate as other kids isn’t always a reason to worry. Not all children develop skills on a strict timetable. For example, some babies start walking as young as 9 months, while others don’t take their first steps until 15 months. Both of those babies are within the range of typical development.
Kids develop skills in five main areas of development
Cognitive (or thinking) skills
This is the ability to think, learn and solve problems and includes things like learning to count, naming colors, and learning new words.
Social and emotional skills
This is the ability to relate to other people. That includes being able to express and control emotions and being able to ask for help, show and express feelings, and get along with others.
Speech and language skills
This is the ability to use and understand language. It includes understanding what’s being said and using words correctly and in ways other people can understand.
Fine and gross motor skills
This is the ability to use small muscles (fine motor), particularly in the hands, and large muscles (gross motor) in the body. Things considered in this area include: grasping of objects, holding utensils, work with objects, and draw, sit up, roll over, and begin to walk, jump, run, and climb stairs.
Daily living activities
This is the ability to handle everyday tasks. For children, that includes eating, dressing, and bathing themselves.
Minor differences in these milestones usually aren’t cause for concern. For example, a baby who isn’t rolling over by 4 months may be just a little behind in that one skill. But babies at that age who, for example, aren’t rolling over, can’t hold their heads up, don’t push up when lying on their tummy, and aren’t babbling are behind in more than one area of development. That could be a sign of a developmental delay.
Other signs might include, your child being a space invader (needs to be close to you, leans all over you)? Clumsy? Finds it difficult to sit and attend for periods longer than 5 minutes? It might be worth getting an Occupational Therapy Assessment.
Let a Fired Up People Occupational Therapist help you.
When Should You Worry About Developmental Milestones
Minor differences in these milestones usually aren’t cause for concern. For example, a baby who isn’t rolling over by 4 months may be just a little behind in that one skill. But babies at that age who, for example, aren’t rolling over, can’t hold their heads up, don’t push up when lying on their tummy, and aren’t babbling are behind in more than one area of development. That could be a sign of a developmental delay.
Other signs might include, your child being a space invader (needs to be close to you, leans all over you)? Clumsy? Finds it difficult to sit and attend for periods longer than 5 minutes? It might be worth getting an Occupational Therapy Assessment.
Let a Fired-Up People Occupational Therapist help you.
Getting The Best Results
Fired Up People’s team of highly experienced Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists specialise in gross motor skills and development. Our team have worked across a wide range of Developmental Delays in Children. We have therapists that are DCD and Dyspraxia trained and we run individualised therapy as well as targeted
Developmental Delays Programs Include:
- School readiness groups
- Fine motor groups
- Handwriting groups
- Touch typing groups
- Gross motor groups
Early intervention is the key to great outcomes.
Call now for a free over the phone consult.
We are confident we can help you or your loved ones learn to maximise life early.
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We are located in the South East of Melbourne.
440 Waverley Road, Malvern East VIC 3145
Call: 03 9024 0339 | Click here to Email
