The various types of developmental delays

It’s a common misconception that children with developmental delays are less intelligent. But children develop in various stages, and certain skills or functions may gradually be seen over time, explains behavioral medicine professional Dr. Curtis Cripe. This is because such lags are a result of various biological factors related to the wiring of the brain. This blog lists the different types of developmental delays.

Motor skill delays: This type involved problems a child may manifest in relation to gross motor abilities such as crawling and walking, or fine motor ones such as grasping a spoon. Some of the most common methods to improve motor skill delays are using peg boards, activity mats, tunnels, and puzzles.

Speech delays: This encompasses verbal expression and the forming of words, with language being the broader system. Delays here likewise involve the inability to comprehend gestures. There are many speech-assisted technologies to speed up speech development, including oral motor tools, assistive communicators, and a wide array of language activities.

Communication delays: Problems related to interacting with other children or adults are social or emotional delays. These issues often appear before a child begins schooling.

Cognitive delays: These lags are related to thinking, understanding, and analyzing. Kids with cognitive delays are usually given various activity and assessment kits, as well as provided with specialized cognitive-enhancing toys.

Vision delays: While a baby’s vision is normally blurry for the first six months, it should improve as the child starts to coordinate sight in both eyes. Those exhibiting sight issues after such a time are often provided with therapy mirrors and sensory lights, adds Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Dr. Curtis Cripe 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 reads on neurology, go to this page.