It can be difficult to know if your child is developing on track or if an area of development may need extra attention.
I’m Jennifer Reeves, an occupational therapist and one of the owners at Building Futures. Today, I want to talk about how developmental milestones are used, how to know if your child may be experiencing a delay, and when to reach out for help.
What Are Developmental Milestones?
Developmental milestones are a set of guidelines that give a general idea of when most children typically develop certain skills. These milestones are broken down into several different categories:
- Language: How your child communicates
- Gross Motor Skills: Movements like sitting up, crawling, and walking
- Fine Motor Skills: Movements involving the hands and fingers
- Feeding and Self-Care: Skills related to taking care of themselves
It is important to remember that milestones are not exact. Instead, they represent a range, or a “window,” of time. Some children meet milestones a little earlier, while others meet them a little later.
For example, if a child is not sitting up by seven months, it is typically not something to be overly worried about at that time.
Common Causes of Developmental Delays
There are several reasons why a child might be behind in reaching age-related developmental milestones. Some common causes include:
Premature Birth: If your child was born early
Birth Trauma: If your child experienced an injury during the birth process
No Specific Reason: Sometimes children experience delays for no clear reason and simply need a “little push” or extra help to function at a level similar to their peers
How Pediatric Therapy Helps with Developmental Delays
If your child is not accomplishing an age-related developmental milestone, or if you are even slightly concerned about their progress, reaching out for guidance from a pediatric therapist is a great first step. That’s what we’re here for: to help guide you and support you in understanding what your child may need.
As therapists, we are trained to look at the root cause of the delay. For example, if a child is struggling with walking, we look at the skills that should have happened first, such as sitting up, crawling, and pulling themselves to a standing position. We also consider sensory factors, such as whether your child is extra sensitive to how the floor feels under their feet.
How Therapists at Building Futures Work Together
At Building Futures, we use a collaborative approach to ensure your child gets the best possible support. If a child is referred for one service, such as physical therapy for walking, our therapists work together to provide a more complete picture of your child’s needs.
For example, if a physical therapist notices something that could benefit from an occupational therapist’s input, they will consult with their colleague in-house. We also handle any necessary referrals for additional disciplines internally and coordinate with your physician to keep everyone aligned.
Reach Out Today
If you are concerned your child is experiencing developmental delays and you live in the Monroe or Ruston, LA, areas, Building Futures is here to help.
If you have questions or would like guidance, please reach out to us. Call one of our locations or fill out our online form to schedule an evaluation. We are here to provide support, suggestions, and even exercises you can do at home.
