Understanding Developmental Delays: A Parent’s Guide

When a child doesn’t achieve certain milestones in the normal process of growing up, it is called a developmental delay. Besides school teachers and administrators, the first people who will notice developmental delays in a child are the parents and the family pediatrician. Get all of the information you need about developmental delays, including treatments, when you visit Dr. Michelle Zimmer and her staff at Tri-State Developmental Pediatrics in Cincinnati, OH.

What Causes Developmental Delays?

A developmental delay causes a child to fall behind other children in their progress in school and everyday life. For example, a child is expected to be able to talk in sentences by about age two. They should be able to walk at or before 18 months. Children may be born with genetic traits that make them more prone to developmental delays as they get older. Delays may also occur due to birth defects, environmental toxins, and physical or emotional traumas.

Challenges Caused by Development Delays

A developmental delay is not something to be ignored because it can have long-lasting negative effects on a child’s future. Potential challenges include:

• Inability to read, write, or do basic math.
• Social awkwardness that makes the child unable to make and keep friends.
• Behavioral deficiencies that can lead to disciplinary actions.
• Problems getting dressed, washing up, or eating without assistance or monitoring.

Solutions for Delays in Children

Your Cincinnati, OH, pediatrician can assist you and guide you in the right direction if your child has developmental delays. Solutions you’ll discuss with the doctor may include:

• Talk and behavior therapy for the child and parents.
• Group consultations that involve the child's teachers, parents, doctors, and therapists.
• Medications to help calm the child, provide focus, or address underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to delays.

Get More Guidance From a Pediatrician

Part of a pediatrician’s job is to keep track of a child’s development stages from birth to adulthood. Work with a developmental-behavioral doctor at Tri-State Developmental Pediatrics in Cincinnati, OH, to explore solutions for developmental delays. Call (513) 275-6630 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michelle Zimmer and her team.