An Overview of Developmental Delay and Its treatment

Posted by David Jones on July 19th, 2016

If you are in the search of information on development delay, you are at the right place. This article will offer you some information on development delay. Also, it will throw some light on the treatment for developmental delay.

Developmental delay is when a child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times. Development delay is a minor or major delay in the process of development. For instance: a child is not able to speak, while children of their age are speaking well. However, if a child is temporarily lagging behind, it is not referred as a developmental delay. Delay can occur in one or many areas, which include language, gross or fine motor, social, or thinking skills.

You cannot know whether your child is suffering from developmental delay or not. Most often, a diagnosis is made by a doctor based on strict guidelines. Parents are the first to notice that their child is not progressing at the same rate as other children of the same age. If you think your child is not progressing or your child is slow, you should talk to your child’s doctor. Sometimes, a pediatrician might need several visits to assess whether your child is suffering from developmental delay or not.

There are many causes of developmental delay. Sometimes, complications of pregnancy and birth (like infections or prematurity), genetic causes (like Down syndrome) cause developmental delay, though specific cause is still unknown. Some causes, if caught early enough, can be easily reversed.

When it comes to the treatment for developmental delay, there are many types of therapy available. However, you should understand that these therapies don’t cure a child’s development delay, rather they work as stepping stones to help increase a child’s mental stimulation and growth. Early intervention services are the main theme of treatment. And doctors also treat underlying conditions that have led to developmental delay.

Early intervention services may include physical therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapies, such as those used to treat behavioral issues and autism. Sensory enrichment therapy is an evidence-based treatment that uses sensory experiences to enable the brain to reduce the symptoms of autism. This treatment involves sensorimotor exercises that stimulate two or more senses such as motor systems, olfactory, tactile, balance etc. Your child’s doctor will decide which treatment will be suitable for your child. For more information, you can check online resources on this topic.

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David Jones

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David Jones
Joined: July 19th, 2016
Articles Posted: 3

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