By the time a child reaches the toddler stage (usually defined as around the time the child starts walking until around three or four years old), you can already get a sense of the child’s growth and development and whether they are falling behind in any particular areas, both physically and emotionally.
It is at this stage that early intervention is important to make sure the child continues developing appropriately and gets the assistance necessary to do so.
Here’s an overview from a Farmingdale, NY orthotist of what you should know.
Acting on concerns about a child’s development
It’s very common for parents to have concerns about their child not developing according to the typical schedule of milestones they might receive from a pediatrician or find on the internet. Common concerns include not sitting up, not rolling over, not walking, not talking, etc.
It’s important to note that all children develop differently and at their own pace, and the range of “normal” development is vast. So, while it’s natural to have concerns about a child’s development, in many cases, there is no real need for concern.
However, concerns are legitimate in some cases, so if you feel your child is developing slowly or has any sorts of physical impediments, it’s important to speak with your child’s pediatrician about your concerns in detail. Explain everything you’ve observed and your specific worries about your child so the pediatrician has enough information to make appropriate recommendations, including whether any intervention is necessary.
Early intervention can take multiple forms. In general, it’s defined as a system of services that allow young children with developmental delays or disabilities the opportunity to correct those problems and prepare them for the rest of their childhood. Categories of early intervention include physical, cognitive, social/emotional, self-help and communication.
At Prothotic Laboratories, Inc., we focus primarily on physical early intervention. Some of our services include:
- Cranial orthotics: Cranial remolding helmets and protective helmets for young children who have flat or misshapen heads.
- Spinal orthotics: Methods of correcting issues like scoliosis, or that could lead to scoliosis down the road, including the use of various braces and other equipment.
- Upper extremity orthotic services: Custom and prefabricated shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and finger orthoses.
- Lower extremity orthosis: Custom knee orthosis to help correct issues with walking or development.
- Pediatric prosthetics: Prosthetic hands, fingers, legs and much more for children in need of these devices to ensure mobility and proper development.
These are just a few examples of some of the capabilities we have. Generally, the earlier parents are able to get started with these types of services, the better they are able to set their children up for success and healthy development.
Interested in learning more about the pediatric orthotic services we provide at Prothotic Laboratories, Inc. in Farmingdale, NY? We encourage you to contact our team today with any questions, and we will be happy to provide you with further information. We look forward to helping your children grow and develop in a healthy, supported way!