Developmental Delay Treatment in Kolkata

What is child development?

A child’s growth is more than just physical. Children grow, develop, and learn throughout their lives, starting at birth. We can find out about a child’s development by how they play, learn, speak, move, and behave.

What is developmental delay?

Developmental delay describes the behaviour of young children whose development in key mental and physical areas is slower than other children of the same age. The delay can be in any of a number of areas of development, such as movement (motor control), speaking, thinking, playing, or self-care skills. A developmental delay is diagnosed when a child is assessed as being more than “a little behind” in performing everyday skills. The term defines a substantial lag in performance, and may be used to describe any type of delay in 1 or more of the following 5 skill areas:

Fine and gross motor (movement)

Cognitive (thinking)

Social and emotional

Speech and language

Activities of daily living

 

These delays may or may not result from a specific medical condition. For example, a child with Down syndrome is identified at or before birth as having the syndrome, but also can have developmental delay. This fact holds true for any child with a disability, such as autism or cerebral palsy. Children without a specific medical condition, however, may still have a developmental delay. Early assessment is key. Parents should express any concerns, even the slightest ones, to their paediatrician or physical therapist.

How is Developmental Delay Diagnosed?

Developmental delay is diagnosed by using tests designed to score a child's movement, communication, play, and other behaviours compared with those of other children of the same age. These tests (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Griffiths) are standardized—scored on hundreds of children—in order to determine a normal range of scores for each age. If children score far below the average score for their age, they are at risk for developmental delay. Developmental delay can identifiable as early as from just after birth to 5 months of age by Prechtl’s General Movements Assessment (GMA)

What are General Movements?

General Movements (GMs) are distinct spontaneous movement patterns that are evident in babies before birth and after birth up to 20 weeks of age (corrected age). They are seen spontaneously when the baby is awake, calm and alert and not externally stimulated (such as a parent playing or talking with them). You may be familiar with other spontaneous motor patterns seen in young babies such as startles, twitches, yawning and breathing movements. GMs involve the whole body and are variable, complex, fluent and elegant.

 

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Your physical therapist will first evaluate your child's development delay treatment, conducting an appropriate and detailed test to determine the child's specific strengths and weaknesses. Your physical therapist will discuss your observations and concerns with you. If the child is diagnosed as having developmental delay, your physical therapist will problem-solve with you about your family's routines and environment to find ways to enhance and build your child's developmental skills.

The physical therapist will also teach the family what they can do to help the child practice skills during everyday activities. The most important influence on the child is the family because they can provide the opportunities needed to achieve each new skill.

 

Your physical therapist will explain how much practice is needed to help achieve a particular milestone. A child learning how to walk, for example, covers a lot of ground during the day; your physical therapist can provide specific advice on the amount and type of activities appropriate for your child at each stage of development.

 

Early Intervention Services:

If your child is eligible for Early Intervention Services, we provide an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) in Kolkata. This plan is based on the particular needs of your child and your family. The service provider will figure out what activities and services could best help your child. The types of services include: Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Psychological services etc. Contact Dr. Jewel for best developmental delay treatment in Kolkata.