Child Development Milestones

Normal Child Development Milestones (Birth to 6 years)

Check out this child development Milestones chart for milestones from birth to 6 years. If your child's development seems to be lagging behind in certain areas, share your concerns with your child's doctor. If you suspect your child may not be developing normally, it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Often times children are not diagnosed with a developmental delays or abnormal Child Development Milestones until they are 2-3 years old. These late diagnoses are a missed opportunity for children. Studies have found that children who receive early intervention services are more likely to lead a typical life.

Child Development Milestones. Growth and development is continuous from conception to maturity and its sequence is the same in all children, though its rate varies from one child to another.

What are Child Development Milestones?

Child Development Milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range.

Time scale of Child Development Milestones

• GROWTH PERIOD - APPROXIMATE AGE
  
• Prenatal From 0 to 280 days
• Ovum From 0 to 14days
• Embryo From 14days to 9 weeks
• Fetus From 9 weeks to birth
• Premature infant From 27 to 37 weeks
• Birth Average 280 days
• Neonate First 4weeks after birth
• Infancy First year
• Early childhood (preschool) From 1 to 6 years
• Later childhood (prepubertal) From 6 to 10 years
• Adolescence Girls, 8 or 10 to 18 years
• Adolescence Boys, 10 or 12 to 20 years

Child Development Milestones are listed under the following:

• Physical (gross and fine motor) Child Development Milestones
• Social and Emotional Child Development Milestones
• Intellectual Child Development Milestones
• Language Child Development Milestones

Child Development Milestones

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

Developmental delay or abnormal Child Development Milestones occurs when children have not reached these milestones by the expected time period. Developmental delays can occur in any area of Child Development Milestones. Additionally, growth in each area of development is related to growth in the other areas. So if there is a difficulty in one area (e.g., social and emotional), it is likely to influence development in other areas (e.g., speech and language).

Risk factors for developmental problems may be:

• Genetic
• Environmental

Children are placed at genetic risk by being born with a genetic or chromosomal abnormality. A good example of a genetic risk is Down syndrome, a disorder that causes developmental delay because of an abnormal chromosome. Environmental risk results from exposure to harmful agents either before or after birth, and can include things like poor maternal nutrition or exposure to toxins (e.g. lead or drugs) or infections that are passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy (e.g., measles or HIV). Environmental risk also includes a child's life experiences. For example, children who are born prematurely, face severe poverty, mother's depression, poor nutrition, or lack of care are at increased risk for developmental delays. Risk factors have a cumulative impact upon development. As the number of risk factors increases, a child is put at greater risk for developmental delay.

Global Developmental Delay

Global Developmental Delay is a term used to describe a condition that occurs during the developmental period of a child between birth and 18 years. It is usually defined by the child being diagnosed with having a lower intellectual functioning than what is perceived as ‘normal’. It is usually accompanied by having significant limitations in communication. It is said to affect about 1-3% of the population.

The most common causes of GDD are chromosomal and/or genetic abnormalities such as Down's Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome or abnormalities with the structure or development of the brain or spinal cord such as Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida. Other causes can include prematurity – being born too early - or infections, such as Congenital Rubella or Meningitis. There are a number of diagnostic tests that can be done to identify the underlying cause of global developmental delay. Sometimes these causes can be treated to cure the developmental delay, or at least to prevent it worsening. However, often the cause is never able to be fully determined.

Management of Developmental Delay

There is almost never a specific medicine or surgical procedure that will correct developmental delay. The most important thing a parent can do for a delayed child is provide a loving and stimulating environment. It recommended that contact with the physical therapist to assist you in providing appropriate exercises and stimulation for your child. The goal of treatment is to maximize abilities while preventing new problems as much as possible.

Developmental delay and pediatric physiotherapy

A child with developmental delay will benefit from physiotherapy. Physiotherapy treatment for developmental delay should therefore, be started as early as possible as a child’s brain can adapt easily and respond well to treatment.

Physiotherapy will help a child’s development including gross motor skills such as mobility, muscle strength, joint flexibility and balance and fine motor skills such as grip strength and handwriting. A graduated treatment plan will be developed incorporating family, carers and teachers so that Child Development Milestones are reached and significant long term improvement are achieved.

Physiotherapy treatment will focus on:

Exercises to increase muscle strength and control so that your child is able to shift their body weight and balance better.Muscle stretching to lengthen muscles, increasing range of movement and preventing muscles and joints from becoming stiff. Activities to improve head and trunk control. For example, supporting your child in sitting to develop weight shifting, rotation, coordination and balance. Mirror imaging is often used to increase their awareness of where their limbs are in space (prioprioception)Exercises to increase mobility and their success of learning to walk based around everyday activities Physiotherapy may involve exercise for the hand to improve writing and grasping objects. Advice about supportive devices such as using a wheelchair, orthotic devices or other adaptive equipment if necessary. Hydrotherapy treatment helps relax stiff muscles and joints and maximises mobility in water.Short and long term rehabilitation goals will be developed at the centre of your child’s rehabilitation so that milestones are reached and improving their quality of life. Physiotherapy treatment will improve your child’s mobility by using a variety of activities that are fun and stimulating as well as effective.

Physiotherapy treatment has the ability to help your child achieve their maximum potential and develop independence with everyday tasks.

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