Physical Therapy in Children’s Development
Identifying and Addressing Delayed Milestones WRITTEN BY HANNAH HAUGEN PT, DPT, MONTANA MOBILE REHAB
As parents eagerly anticipate their child’s developmental milestones, the achievement of gross motor skills is often a significant source of joy and pride. However, for some children, the path to these milestones may not unfold as expected. Physical therapy for children plays a crucial role in addressing and preventing delayed milestones, fostering proper growth and enhancing overall well-being.
The Role of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized field focused on addressing the unique needs of children with movement challenges. Familycentered goals are created to address the wants and needs of each child and their family. Therapists educate families on activities they can incorporate into daily routines to reach their goals, fostering a supportive environment for the child’s development. Pediatric physical therapists can address many areas, including motor skill development, preventing long-term issues and pain, promoting independence and increasing confidence. This enables each child the ability to fully participate in all their desired activities, at home and at school. This independence is crucial for their overall social and emotional development as they interact with friends and family.
Identifying Delayed Milestones
When a child experiences delays in achieving gross motor milestones, it can be a cause for concern. It is important to intervene early in order to reduce further delays and help children progress to reach age-appropriate milestones. The best way to detect a potential delay in your child’s development is to use the following strategies:
24
january 2024
» Observation and Expected Milestones Parents and caregivers should keenly observe their child from an early age. Differences in movement patterns, muscle strength or coordination may be indicative of potential delays. Understanding typical developmental milestones for different age groups can help to provide insight on the expected skills of a child. Milestones can include rolling over, crawling, walking and more. Comparing a child’s progress to these benchmarks can help identify delays. However, it is important to note that each child develops at their own pace, and variations are normal within a typical range. » Communication with Professionals Regular communication with healthcare professionals including pediatricians, nurses, therapists and even teachers, is essential. These professionals can provide guidance on age-appropriate milestones and help identify concerns based on their expertise. Open and ongoing communication is important for early detection and intervention. » Seeking Professional Assessment If a professional, parent or caregiver has concerns about their child’s development, seeking a professional evaluation by a pediatric physical therapist is recommended. The therapist can conduct a thorough evaluation to identify any specific areas of concern and develop intervention plans and goals tailored to each individual child.
PHOTO BY KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY
The Crucial Role of
