Physiotherapy - Developmental Delay

Developmental Delay

Developmental Delay

Developmental Delay is when your Child does not reach their developmental milestones in comparison to peers in the same age range. For example, some children will not sit by 6 to 9 minutes , crawl by 9 to 12 months or walk before the age of 18 months. That is usually what we expect, but there are lots of reasons that may impact a child's development such as a difficulty birth or being born early.

What is an Adjusted Age?

Adjusted or corrected age, is the age your child would be if they were born on their due date.

Chronological or actual age, is the amount of time since birth.

This calculation is completed by subtracting the number of weeks they were born early from their chronological age.

For example, if your baby was 20 weeks old but born at 32 weeks, you subtract 8 weeks from 20 (as 40 weeks is full term) so the babies’ adjusted age is 12 weeks.

Health professionals may use the adjusted age to assess a premature babies’ development and milestones. The adjusted age is helpful in making sure the baby is developing as they should be; especially during their first two years.

What should your child be doing?

A child would typically be able to lift their head up against gravity when lying on their tummy for short periods. Try this frequently for short periods throughout the day, within your child’s tolerance, if they are not yet lifting their head to improve head control and arm strength.

A child would typically be able to roll between lying on their back and their front. Try increasing tummy time, practicing reaching hands to feet and facilitated rolling if your child is not rolling.

A child would typically be able to sit independently. Try gradually reducing the support given whilst sitting to improve child’s balance and trunk control if they are not sitting by themselves.

A child would typically be able to reciprocal crawl or bottom shuffle and move out of sitting. Try encouraging your child to play on their hands or knees and moving from sitting to crawling position if they are not able to move on the floor.

A child would typically be able to pull to stand at a stable surface. Try placing toys at a higher surface to encourage your child to weight bear for play if they are not able to stand.

A child would typically be able to walk independently. Try encouraging furniture walking, hand hold walking and walking with push along toys to increase confidence if they are not walking.

When should you be concerned?

Unable to lift head up for short periods when placed on their tummy.
Unable to fix or follow.
Unable to grasp objects when placed in their hands.

Unable to hold head and shoulders up with good control when lying on tummy.
Unable to hold head with control in supported sitting.
Unable to reach for and grasp toys.
Unable to bring hands to midline.
Hands frequently clenched.
Does not explore objects with hands, eyes and mouth.

Unable to hold objects.
Unable to move toy from one hand to another.
Unable to roll.
Unable to sit independently/without support.
Unable to move on the floor (e.g. creeping, crawling).
Unable to take weight on legs when held in standing.

No form of independent mobility (e.g. crawling, commando crawling, bottom shuffle).
Unable to pull to stand independently and hold on for support.

Unable to stand independently.
Not attempting to walk without support.

Unable to walk independently.
Unable to walk up and down stairs holding on.

Strong parental concerns.
Significant loss of skills.
Lack of response to sound or visual stimuli.
Poor interaction with adults or other children.
Lack of or limited eye contact.
Differences between right and left sides of body in strength, movement and/or muscle tone.

What we provide?

Individual Assessment and Intervention

Your child will receive an individual assessment to determine ongoing physiotherapy input such as group settings, individual treatment sessions, onward referrals and or whether your child can be discharged with reassurance.

Developmental Screening

Your child may be triaged to our screening clinic; which may take place on an individual basis or as a group setting.

Hopscotch

Our developmental group, run by physiotherapists, with other children and parents, working towards progressing in gross motor skills. These are held at a local children’s centre or in clinic.

Onwards Referrals

We can determine if your child requires referrals to other services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapist, Paediatrician, Orthopaedics, Early Notification etc.