Child Development
|
Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. Your healthcare professional uses milestones to help check how your child is developing. Although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally developing child reaches that milestone can vary quite a bit. Every child is unique! However there are many different websites which will give a guide to what to expect at different ages from your baby.
Developmental Delay |
|
Developmental delay is a term used to describe a baby or young child who is slower than expected in achieving the normal developmental milestones. This may affect gross and fine motor skills, speech and language skills, cognitive skills and/or social skills. A child diagnosed with global developmental delay will have delays in all their areas of development.
In some children, developmental delay is suspected soon after birth because of feeding difficulties or unusual muscle tone. In other children, developmental delay is only suspected much later, when learning or behavioural difficulties surface at school. There are many different causes for developmental delay. It is a common condition affecting 1-3% of the population. The delay may be caused by a child’s genetic makeup (e.g Down's syndrome), by problems during pregnancy (e.g infection), around the time of delivery, especially if very premature (e.g bleeding in the brain), early infancy (e.g meningitis) or later in childhood (e.g head injury). A cause can be found in about half of cases.
But remember, there is a wide range of 'normal' , babies and children develop at different rates and in their own time. Some children will walk earlier than other children, while other children may start talking earlier than their peers. Parents often feel under pressure and start to worry when their baby is later at achieving some developmental milestones than their friend's baby. Often there is nothing to worry about, but where there are concerns, early intervention is beneficial.
Early screening by an experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist can detect any signs of developmental delay, however subtle. Appropriate information such as positioning and handing advice and activity ideas can then be given provided in order to encourage the normal development of your child. 'Hands on' therapy can also be provided in order to facilitate normal movement patterns and give your child the opportunity to experience different positions and learn new skills. In some cases, referral to another health professionals may be necessary, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy or a Paediatrician.
As a general guide, here are a few signs to look out for that may indicate that your baby is not developing as expected.
If you are in any doubt as to whether your baby is developing normally, please feel free to contact us for a chat which may be all you need to put your mind at rest. If we feel a quick check would be beneficial, then this can be arranged quickly, at your convenience without the need for a referral from your doctor. If therapy input is recommended, evidence shows that the earlier intervention is started, the better. We can continue to provide therapy whilst you wait for referral to other services, and then either handover to your NHS therapist or work alongside them if you feel you would like ongoing additional input.
Remember, if in doubt, contact us for a chat, there is no obligation for any further intervention.
In some children, developmental delay is suspected soon after birth because of feeding difficulties or unusual muscle tone. In other children, developmental delay is only suspected much later, when learning or behavioural difficulties surface at school. There are many different causes for developmental delay. It is a common condition affecting 1-3% of the population. The delay may be caused by a child’s genetic makeup (e.g Down's syndrome), by problems during pregnancy (e.g infection), around the time of delivery, especially if very premature (e.g bleeding in the brain), early infancy (e.g meningitis) or later in childhood (e.g head injury). A cause can be found in about half of cases.
But remember, there is a wide range of 'normal' , babies and children develop at different rates and in their own time. Some children will walk earlier than other children, while other children may start talking earlier than their peers. Parents often feel under pressure and start to worry when their baby is later at achieving some developmental milestones than their friend's baby. Often there is nothing to worry about, but where there are concerns, early intervention is beneficial.
Early screening by an experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist can detect any signs of developmental delay, however subtle. Appropriate information such as positioning and handing advice and activity ideas can then be given provided in order to encourage the normal development of your child. 'Hands on' therapy can also be provided in order to facilitate normal movement patterns and give your child the opportunity to experience different positions and learn new skills. In some cases, referral to another health professionals may be necessary, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy or a Paediatrician.
As a general guide, here are a few signs to look out for that may indicate that your baby is not developing as expected.
- Not bringing their hands together at 4 months
- Appears floppy when held
- Muscles appear very tight, or limbs feel stiff
- Difficulty holding their head upright
- Predominant use of one side more than the other
- Unable to roll over by 6 months
- Unable to sit without support by 8 months
- Not pulling themselves up to standing by 12 months
- Unable to walk independently by 18 months
If you are in any doubt as to whether your baby is developing normally, please feel free to contact us for a chat which may be all you need to put your mind at rest. If we feel a quick check would be beneficial, then this can be arranged quickly, at your convenience without the need for a referral from your doctor. If therapy input is recommended, evidence shows that the earlier intervention is started, the better. We can continue to provide therapy whilst you wait for referral to other services, and then either handover to your NHS therapist or work alongside them if you feel you would like ongoing additional input.
Remember, if in doubt, contact us for a chat, there is no obligation for any further intervention.
