धीमी-धीमी सी शुरुआत : Developmental Delay in Child

किसी भी परिवार में नवजात शिशु का आगमन अपने साथ ढेर सारी खुशियाँ लेकर आता है , नन्हे कदमों की आहट और किलकारी सभी का मन प्रफुल्लित कर देती है , परंतु  कभी -कभी इन खुशियो में ग्रहण-सा लग जाता है,  जब यह पता चलता है  की बच्चा किन्ही विशेष प्रकार के विकास समन्धी विकास चक्र में कुछ पीछे  है . 

A Healthy Start.. ( pic for representation purpose- image credit nestonmemorialhall)

It is expected for a child to attain certain milestones or targets upto particular age, bt when a child appears to be slow in achieving those set of skills/activities then s/he will be diagnosed as having Developmental Delay or having Delayed Developmental milestones. 

Apart from measuring physical factors like body weight n height, parent's shud place a close on every single activities of d child like his eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills, speech n comprehension n play. 

Delay Dev. often accompained by certain disorders which will become more prominent as the time goes on like Autism, Intellectual Impairment, Down's syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Learning disorder etc. 

As per Childhood Milestone chart, one can compare the activity of child as per his/her chronological age - 

eg. at 3 months baby attains social smile, follows thru eye gaze, raises head when lying on stomach

at 6 months baby babbles, tries to grasp object, roll n turn up body on both sides, gaines better neck control

at 9 months baby controls his spine, sits erect without support
at 11 stands n walk with/without support, 

at 18 months, gains better body control, walk n run, speaks simple words

Kids having Delay Development needs special attention. Early Intervention Programs are extremely helpful in identifying n to assure that families who have children from age between birth to three, and who are at risk disabilities or developmental delays, will  receive resources and supports that assist them in maximizing their child's development while respecting the diversity of families and communities.

EIP मुख्यतः  एक पारिवारिक उपचार एवं लर्निंग प्रक्रिया है जिसमे सरल, सहज शिक्षण- प्रशिक्षण एक्टिविटीज के माध्यम से बच्चों की शारीरिक क्षमता- स्ट्रेंथ, बौद्धिक क्षमता, सामाजिक मेल-मिलाप , स्वास्थ्य एवं पोषण समन्धी सभी जरूरतों का ध्यान रखा जाता है. 

There are ample of recent Therapeutic Interventions like Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy are avl to manage n enhance the physical growth, strength, co-ordination, cognitive functions, hand skills n gait. 

Speech n Language Therapy focues on developing/ improving verbal communication, Special Education n Inclusive Education to simplify the learning process.

Talk as much as u can wid baby ( image credit parents.com)

Parents must ensure that they devote as much time as they can with their baby; 

give him/her enough exposure to the surroundings by providing toys or roaming around, talk as much as you can with ur baby, explain abt different things in the surroundings, 

use pictorial charts/ flash cards/ puzzle board games to develop vocabulary, 

encourage physical acts that require walking/running like ball play. 

Stay Healthy..!!

Dr. Pooja Pathak

Swavalamban Rehab