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Physical and Occupational Therapy for Development Delay
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Article Details
Published: Jan. 25, 2012
Updated: Jan. 25, 2012
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Developmental delay occurs when a child has not met developmental milestones by an expected time period.
A child may meet milestones a little earlier or later than peers, however, there are definitely blocks of time when most children have acquired the skill.
It is important to receive intervention to meet developmental milestones since typically they are learned in a sequential manner (e.g., you sit before stand). There are numerous causes for developmental delays which can occur in gross motor, fine motor, social, emotional, and cognition skills.
Delays in one or more of the areas can impact school readiness skills, social interaction, and environmental access.
The primary goal of occupational and physical therapy in treating developmental delays is to enhance development, minimize further delay, and identify activities for families to use outside of therapy that will reinforce learning new skills.
Physical Therapy Treatment
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Gross motor skills
Occupational Therapy Treatment
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Activities of daily living and self-care
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Fine motor skills
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Handwriting
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Sensory processing
