How Occupational Therapy Helps Address Developmental Delays
A child is considered to have a developmental delay when there is a delay in one or more areas of development (cognitive, language, motor, socio-emotional) compared to typical developmental milestones. If a child is not reaching age-appropriate milestones, early intervention is essential.
Understanding Global Developmental Delay
Identifying developmental delays early is crucial for enabling adequate intervention.
Generally, if a child does not meet expected developmental milestones for their age, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to understand why certain skills have not yet developed and to provide the necessary stimulation to support the child’s development.
Resources to Support Your Child’s Development:
- Child Development from Birth to 6 Years (CHU Sainte Justine)
- Developmental Milestone Checklist from 2 Months to 5 Years (CDC)
- Child Development Information (Naitre et Grandir)
If you have concerns about your child’s development, a consultation with your family doctor or pediatrician is recommended. They can refer you to the appropriate healthcare professionals for further assessment and support.
Possible Consequences of Developmental Delays
Each developmental skill forms a foundation for others, much like building blocks for a house, where every piece is important. Supporting a child’s development early on can help mitigate long-term consequences, such as:
- Reduced quality of life for the child and family
- Lower self-esteem
- Decreased daily independence
- Limited participation in leisure activities
- Academic challenges
The Government of Quebec categorizes child development into four interrelated domains. Delays in any of these areas may lead to long-term consequences:
- Physical and Motor Development: As motor skills improve, children can explore their environment, leading to new learning opportunities.
- Social and Emotional Development: These skills enable children to participate in their community, manage relationships, express emotions, develop empathy, resolve conflicts, and interact with others.
- Cognitive Development: This domain allows children to learn and understand the world around them.
- Language Development: Language skills help children communicate their needs and connect with others.
How Can Occupational Therapy Help with Developmental Delays?
An occupational therapist will begin by assessing the child’s development through observations, standardized evaluations, and discussions with parents, caregivers, or educators. Based on how the delay affects the child’s participation in activities, a tailored intervention plan is created to support the child’s development and facilitate their participation in age-appropriate activities.
Intervention Strategies
The strategies used vary for each family, including home activity programs, parent coaching, sensory interventions, aquatic therapy, simulated scenarios, environmental modifications, recommendations for developmental games, early stimulation programs, and more.
Developmental Delays and Prematurity
Monitoring the development of premature infants is particularly important. The risk of developmental delays is inversely related to gestational age; the earlier a child is born, the higher the risk of developmental delays. These delays can significantly impact the quality of life of the child and their family. However, early intervention can help optimize the developmental trajectory of these children.
Léanne Brabant, an occupational therapist at Clinique l’Ergothérapie du Développement, is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in rehabilitation sciences. Her primary research interest focuses on preterm infants born between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation. For her research project, she has assessed several premature infants using up-to-date standardized tools.
Next Steps
Early intervention allows for the implementation of strategies to optimize a child’s developmental trajectory and long-term well-being. If you have concerns about your child’s development, do not hesitate to seek advice to get tailored support for your child’s specific needs.
Sources :
- Gloria Frolek Clark, Karrie L. Kingsley; Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Early Childhood: Birth–5 Years. Am J Occup Ther May/June 2020, Vol. 74(3), 7403397010p1–7403397010p42. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.743001
- Kelly Tanner, Elizabeth Schmidt, Kristen Martin, Margaret Bassi; Interventions Within the Scope of Occupational Therapy Practice to Improve Motor Performance for Children Ages 0–5 Years: A Systematic Review. Am J Occup Ther March/April 2020, Vol. 74(2), 7402180060p1–7402180060p40. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.039644
- Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec. (2012). L’ergothérapie auprès de l’enfant qui présente un retard de développement.URL : https://www.oeq.org/publications/chroniques-de-l-ergotherapie/14-lergotherapie-aupres-de-lenfant-qui-presente-un-retard-de-developpement.html#:~:text=L’intervention%20en%20ergoth%C3%A9rapie,%2C%20socialisation%2C%20etc
