An Overview

Signs and Symptoms

There are many different signs and symptoms of developmental delays that can be seen in children and often vary depending upon specific characteristics. In some, cases you may see signs as early as the infant’s stage, but there is also a possibility of they may not be noticeable until your child reaches school age. symptoms that are most common include:

• Learning and developing more slowly as compared to the children of the same age
• Rolling over, crawling, sitting up, or walking much later than as per developmentally appropriate
• children showing Difficulty in communicating or socializing with others
• IQ tests showing Lower than average scores
• Difficulty in talking or talking late
• Having memory issues like difficulties in remembering things
• Difficulty in connecting actions with consequences
• Problem-solving difficulties or problem in logical thinking
• learning issues in school
• Inability to perform life skills or everyday tasks, like getting dressed or using the restroom without help.

There can be an underlying medical reason that causes the developmental delay, if it is there then, identification, and treatment of that condition may improve your child’s developmental skills.

CAUSES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

There is no one cause for delays in development. Contributing factors can occur before a child is born, during the birth process of a child, and after birth. These could include:

• Genetic or hereditary conditions like Down syndrome
• Metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Brain traumas, such as shaken baby syndrome
• Severe psychosocial trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
• Exposure to certain toxic substances like prenatal alcohol exposure or lead poisoning
• Some very serious infections
• Deprivation of food or environment

In some cases, it may not be possible to find the cause of the developmental delay.

TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS

Many different types of developmental delays in infants and young children are there. which include problems with:

• language or speech
• movement — motor skills
• social and emotional skills
• thinking — cognitive skills

Sometimes, a delay occurs in many or all of these areas. When these delays happens, it is known as “global developmental delay.”

THERAPIES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

For developmental delay, although there is no cure but therapies directed to the specific area of delay are very effective in helping children catch up to their peers. These types of therapies may include:

• Physical Therapy
• For children with delays in gross motor skills physical therapy is often helpful
• Occupational Therapy
• This can address fine motor skills, self-help issues, and sensory processing.
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Speech therapy is typically used to deal with the problems children are facing mainly in the areas of understanding and producing language and speech sounds.
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Early childhood special education for special children provides stimulation for early developmental skills, including Behavioral therapy and play skills.
• Children with behavioral difficulties may need this which affects socially appropriate behaviors.
• Our world-class team of developmental therapists and a wide range of specialized professionals have extensive experience working with families and children with developmental delays. Contact us today to set up an appointment or to learn more about the variety of resources we have to offer.

DELAY VS DISABILITY

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

• Delays in development that are not long-lasting.
• Progress can be made comfortably.
• DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
• Delays in development that a child cannot outgrow.
• Progress can be made but the child may not catch up with the peer group easily.
• Down syndrome, autism, Angelman syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), and brain injuries are the conditions that can cause developmental disabilities.
• ADHD, Learning Disability, and Behavioural issues may stem from Developmental Disabilities.

Signs & Symptoms

• Excess use, inability to manage everyday life without the substance or activity.
• Mood swings, irritability, lying, change in performance.
• Seeing changes in eating habits, sleeping habits, or weight.
• Feeling sick or shaky when trying to quit.
• Stealing or selling things to continue with the addictive behavior.

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