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Early Intervention Program for Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
by Neil Barrera Writer at PHGrowing up, children are set to reach developmental milestones for their functional skills that can be used later on in their lives. Some may reach each milestone faster than others because it varies depending on the child’s own pace. Reaching milestones a little slower should not cause any concern especially if it’s minor and temporary only. However, in some cases, if a child takes a very long time to reach a certain milestone and develop skills, this is when the parents or guardian should be alarmed and consult a professional. Extreme delays cause the inability to perform certain skills that are needed to function well in their everyday lives.
What are the different areas of developmental skills?
- Gross Motor Skills - Skills that require movement from large muscles in the body. Example: Walking, running, jumping, climbing, sitting, throwing, kicking
- Fine Motor Skills - Skills that require movement from smaller muscles in the body. Example: Pinch, Grasp, Pressing, In-hand manipulation
- Cognitive Skills - Skills that use the brain to think, learn, understand or comprehend remember, read, reason, pay attention and concentrate,
- Speech and language skills - Skills that are used to form social interaction and communicate through words and gestures.
- Social and emotional skills - Skills that are used to form bonds and connections with others.
What is Global Developmental Delay?
Global Developmental Delay or GDD is a condition wherein a child has delays in multiple areas of developmental skills.
A child’s development is a crucial part of their life since the set of developmental skills are important to function well independently when they grow up. This is why when a child is diagnosed, it is best to treat as early as possible through an early intervention program. This type of intervention can help the child catch up with the skills that they are behind.
What is an early intervention program?
Early intervention is a program that provides services and support for children’s development when they have delays or disabilities. This focuses on providing intervention for children ages 3 and below to learn the skills needed during early development.
Services that included in early intervention:
- Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy is a client-centered approach that prioritizes the goal of the patient and their family members. This is why in the early intervention program, the practitioner sets a goal that the parents or guardian wants for their child to achieve. Occupational Therapy practitioner assesses and evaluates the child to identify what skills need to be further enhanced and developed to help the child overcome the difficulty he or she is having when doing certain tasks in all the areas of occupation.
- Speech and Language Therapy - Speech and Language therapist helps the child to develop understanding and how to express oneself through words, gestures and sounds in order to communicate.
- Physical Therapy - Physical therapists help the child and their family by giving physical exercises to help the child reach their developmental milestones accordingly.
- Family counseling and training - Helps the child’s family to better understand the situation by teaching them how to handle difficulties throughout the child’s development.
- Assistive devices - Using devices that help the child adapt, learn, and communicate.
- Nursing, nutrition and medical services - Focuses on helping and strengthening the child’s overall health.
- Audiology (hearing) or vision services - Delays have different causes and sometimes, it is due to hearing loss or problems. This is why it is important to assess the child’s hearing.
If you suspect that your child shows signs of delays it is best to schedule a teleconsultation in Singapore and talk to an online pediatrician now.
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About Neil Barrera 
Writer at PH
4 connections, 0 recommendations, 26 honor points.Joined APSense since, November 15th, 2018, From Manila, Thailand.
Created on Dec 12th 2021 09:51. Viewed 88 times.
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