Developmental Screening in Denham Springs, LA
From the moment your child is born, their growth and development are monitored by our Denham Springs pediatric team at Pediatric Associates of Denham Springs. Whenever you bring them in for a checkup, we ensure they reach all developmental milestones for their age groups. Developmental delays can impact everything from behaviors and emotions to social skills, academic performance and cognition. Here’s what you should know about developmental delays in children,
The Different Types of Developmental Delays
Developmental delays fall into the categories of degenerative, nervous system, metabolic and sensory delays. Some of the most common types of developmental delays include,
- ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual disabilities
- Cerebral palsy
- Vision impairment or hearing loss
- Learning disabilities
- Spina bifida
- Down syndrome
Signs and Symptoms Associated with Developmental Delays
Since children are reaching developmental milestones within just the first few days and weeks after birth, it is possible to spot developmental delays during infancy. Often, developmental delays aren’t detected until a child begins school. Some signs of a developmental delay include,
- An IQ score below 100
- Difficulty talking or trouble communicating
- Delayed speech
- Doesn’t follow objects as they move
- Doesn’t babble or coo
- Doesn’t respond to or show emotional reactions
- Doesn’t mimic the actions of others
- Loses skills they had
- Delay in sitting up, crawling or walking
- Not showing interest in others or socializing with others
- A lack of problem solving or logic
- Trouble completing everyday tasks such as getting dressed
- Difficulty learning in school
Diagnosing and Treating Developmental Delays
Some developmental delays are more prominent and can be detected through a physical exam or simple observation from our team. In contrast, others may require interviewing parents, performing certain developmental assessments and tests and going through your child’s medical history. How we treat a developmental delay will depend on the specific type. Standard treatment options include,
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Special education
- Behavioral therapy and counseling
- Family education
- Support groups
- Skills training