Developmental Delay Research Paper

Developmental Delay
Definition
Developmental delay is defined as a significant delay in the process of development. Without intervention these delays will affect normal development. Areas of delays include language, perception, cognitive, social, emotional, or motor development. Developmental delay refers only to children between the ages of 0 and 8 years. (Education and early childhood development, n.d.)The definitions in each state must be wide enough to include all disability categories to be covered under the IDEA. (Heward, 2012)
Identification criteria
Screening test used for developmental delays is the Denver II. This test is for children age 2 weeks to age 6. Denver II is a observation and parent report format which assesses 125 skills
Characteristics
Gross Motor
• 3-4 months: does not reach for, grasp, or hold objects, does not support his or her head well, does not bring objects to his or her mouth, and does not push down with legs when his or her feet are placed on a firm surface
• 7 months: child has stiff and tight or very floppy muscles, flops his or her head when pulled into a sitting position, reaches with one hand only or does not actively reach for objects, has trouble getting objects to his or her mouth, doesn't roll over in either direction , cannot sit up without help, and does not bear weight on his or her legs when you pull him or her up to a standing position
• 1 years old: Child does not crawl, drags one side of his or her body while crawling, and cannot stand when supported
• 2 years old: Child cannot walk (by 18 months), does not develop a heel-to-toe walking pattern or walks only on toes, and cannot push a wheeled
Additionally fetal alcohol syndrome and fragile X syndrome has been linked to developmental delays. Medical issues after birth such as being born premature have been associated with developmental delays. Developmental delays in language can be contributed to exposure to more than one language, learning disability, child abuse or neglect, dysarthria, hearing loss, and children who are on the autism spectrum. Gross motor delays can be caused by ataxia, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, myopathy, spina bifida, and vision impairment. Social delays can be caused by neglect, attachment issues, and cognitive delays. Genetic defects, medical problems before birth, harmful environmental toxins have been linked to the cause of cognitive delays. (Bhandari, 2016)
Strategies/Intervention
Early Intervention Services are key to help with developmental delays. Speech therapy is a program that helps with improving language development. There are many methods used to help with language skills. For example articulation problems fingers or other items may be used to help gain control of the mouth. Also speech therapist can help with using special communication devices if needed. Additionally speech therapists use speech games, flash cards, and toys to encourage participation. Speech therapist includes the family in the therapy to ensure that the resources are utilized in the home to promote