Kids Health The Newsletter About Taking Care Of The Ones That Matter Most
“There Are Many Options PT Provides For Children With Delays!” November, 2017 PT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
This concern is reinforced during every well-check, where the pediatrician will not only tell you the actual measurement of your child’s height, weight and head circumference, but will provide you with a percentile approximation so that you can immediately put that number in context and begin to compare your child to the national percentage of peer growth and development. And these are just the physical developments. Cognitive development and motor skills are just as competitive, and just as closely monitored. When delays are present, whether they are cognitive or physical, they can become a great source of stress for parents and caregivers who want to see the child succeed and be as healthy as possible. Physical therapy is a great resource for children who are experiencing any level of developmental delays. Physical Therapy for Development Delays When it comes to providing the greatest treatment options for children’s care, it is important to select a care option that is not invasive, but that can provide the child with the support they need in the area they are experiencing the delay. Medication is not an option here. There is no illness that needs to be treated so that development can resume. Instead, the body needs to be trained and encouraged in highly specific ways so that development can be supported in the areas of need. Common forms of therapy that are utilized in treating developmental delays include: • Speech therapy • Occupational therapy • Physical therapy • Behavioral therapy Physical therapy is an ideal form of intervention for when physical developmental delays are present. During physical therapy, your child is provided with direct care from an experienced physical therapist who specializes in the direct area of need. Early interventions featuring physical therapy will include strategies to encourage muscle development, ability to walk and control extremity function, and improve overall mobility. To help develop and improve traditional skills and movement abilities, physical therapists will engage in the following sort of activities: • Take measurements of your child’s strength and agility • Analyze a child’s gait, considering how a child walks or runs
• Consult with other medical professionals regarding your child’s developmental status • Provide instructions for at-home exercise and activities In doing this, your child’s physical therapist will be able to help your child with improved flexibility, increased muscle movement and control, improved ability to walk or crawl, and even increased coordination and ability to engage in adaptive play. Not all children need physical therapy, but for those who are experiencing developmental delays, physical therapy is a great resource to help improve developmental skills. Before seeking help for developmental skills it is a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician to determine if developmental delays are actually present, and to have a discussion with your child’s physical therapist about goals and concerns that you think physical therapy may be able to help address.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com
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