Developmental delay in children: Should parents be worried?
Post date: Feb 8, 2019 4:32:50 PM
Children reach milestones such as sitting up, walking, and talking at different periods in their lives. While developing these skills earlier than usual is noticeable, the inability to reach these milestones after a significant amount of time demands more attention. If your child manifests developmental delays, it doesn’t mean that they will be behind other children in terms of development for years to come. According to neuroengineering expert Dr. Curtis Cripe, children with developmental delays need only extra support to catch up with other kids.
Given that children develop at their own pace, parents should always be mindful of their developmental milestones. This may be tougher for first-time parents because of their lack of experience, but reading about these milestones gives them a glimpse of what their children should be able to do at certain ages. As for developmental delays, there are two types which have their own distinct features, according to Dr. Curtis Cripe. The first set involves delays in fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills include basic functions such as sitting up, standing up, and holding objects. On the other hand, delays in gross motor skills showcase difficulties in coordinated movement such as jumping or catching a ball.
Developmental delays can also manifest in terms of speech and language development. Delays in language can be seen in a child’s inability to express their thoughts and communicate properly. Speech delay has a more physical aspect as it concerns the coordination between the child’s jaws, tongue, lips, and vocal tract. Dr. Curtis Cripe Ph.D., is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the development of brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more articles on developmental delays and other neurological conditions, visit this website.