Types of Therapies to Help With Childhood Developmental Delays

Every child is unique, and every child develops along their own schedule. While one kid may have ten teeth before their first birthday, another toddler might not get their first tooth until they are 15 months old. The same goes for behavior, like language, emotion, movement and thinking; little ones develop in their own time, and often, there is little a caregiver can do to prompt development of certain skills or abilities.

Even so, caregivers and healthcare providers tend to measure a child’s development against averages, and if a child is not achieving certain developmental milestones by a certain time period, they may be diagnosed with a particular type of developmental delay. Developmental delays are not necessarily indications of adverse health conditions — but they could be. Thus, many healthcare providers are eager to speed up development in delayed areas to determine whether they need to be looking into more serious health treatment.

Caregivers and healthcare providers of children with developmental delays can learn more about the causes and effects of such delays in a child development class from a world expert in the field. Then, they will be equipped to guide their little one through one or more of the following therapies that address developmental delays and assist children in achieving the most important developmental milestones.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy tends to focus on gross motor skills, or the physical movements that involve the large muscles in the torso, legs and arms. Babies might need physical therapy if they slow to hold their head up on their own, unable to sit unassisted by a certain age or struggling to crawl or walk. In addition to working with a child during sessions, a physical therapist will provide families with resources and guidance to build stronger gross motor skills at home.

Occupational Therapy

Often mistaken for physical therapy, occupational therapy goes beyond gross motor skills to address delays and other concerns associated with fine motor skills, cognitive and sensory processing, communication and other play-related skills. Play is considered work for a child, and occupational therapy tends to involve evaluation of play to identify causes of developmental delays and find strategies for improving essential skills.

Speech and Language Therapy

Often, speech and language therapy are associated with older children who may struggle to make certain language sounds, but in truth, this form of therapy can address all manner of communication-related delays. Both speech and language are incredibly complex skills that are exceedingly important for success through childhood and adulthood, so identifying and rectifying delays as soon as possible will provide a firm foundation that facilitates effective communication for the rest of a child’s life.

Hearing therapy might become necessary for children with speech and language delays. Some children may experience partial or complete deafness that impacts their ability to understand and utilize verbal language. Hearing therapy improves a child’s hearing skill, which often means assisting with amplification devices and offering rehabilitative services. Some hearing therapists can also guide caregivers in proper treatment of the hearing impaired.

Another role for speech therapists is that of feeding therapy, as speech therapists are trained in helping children understand and control different components of their mouths and throats. Feeding therapy can be essential when a child fails to meet their milestones for size and weight. Speech therapists might also work with caregivers in cultivating a more positive eating experience for children.

Social Skills Therapy

Humans are social creatures, and pro-social behaviors are essential in early childhood development. Toddlers who struggle to exhibit key social skills may need this form of therapy, which includes age-appropriate activities to teach and reinforce the social skills they need to navigate in society. Often, social skills therapy takes place in a group setting, so kids can learn from one another as they enjoy guidance from therapists.

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Conclusion

Usually, it is best to intervene and offer one of the above therapies as soon as a developmental delay is identified. By acting fast, caregivers can introduce proper behavior early, interrupting negative patterns and allowing children more opportunities to catch up with their peers. Even more importantly, intervening in developmental delays sooner allows healthcare providers to better understand potential causes of those delays, which may include severe health conditions that require prompt treatment.

A developmental delay should not be a cause for panic — but it should encourage caregivers and healthcare providers to spring into action. A few weeks of therapy can reveal much more about a child’s development than a caregiver can alone, so it is a small price to pay for peace of mind about a child’s health and wellbeing.