Authors: Missy Frank, PTA and Amanda Dye, DPT, C/NDT
Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center
1200 Westwood Drive
Hamilton, MT 59840
A service of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital
Is my child developing "typically"?
An introduction to Pediatric Physical and Occupational therapy.
When the profession of a pediatric physical or occupational therapist
is brought up many questions may arise. What is a pediatric physical and
occupational therapist, what types of conditions do they address, and
how do they know if a child is "typically" developing?
While there is a difference between a physical and occupational therapist,
there is a large overlap in the pediatric world. Pediatric therapists
treat a variety of conditions related to genetic, neurological, and orthopedic
issues in children from birth to 18 years of age. They work with children
who have specific diagnoses, including but not limited to, children with
the following: Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy,
Sensory Processing Disorder, muscular dystrophies, organ transplants,
scoliosis, congenital abnormalities, torticollis, positional head deformities
and many more. They also work with children who may not have a specific
diagnosis, and with children who are not meeting age appropriate developmental
milestones, or who are said to have a developmental delay. Children, families,
and their support groups work with therapists, who, through play, address
areas like strength, balance, flexibility, endurance, sensory integration,
visual spatial and body awareness, coordination, social skills, motor
planning and control, and meeting motor milestones. Some "bigger
picture" goals of a pediatric therapist may be to improve a child's
independence, safety, ability to interact with peers, access to their
environment, and participate in things they enjoy, such as sports. Children's
weekly therapy sessions are important to achieving these goals, however
family centered care with an emphasis on education and follow through
in the home and community, remain a key component in all pediatric therapies.
One of the ways for pediatric therapists to help children become most
successful is to start interventions as early as possible. Upon a child's
initial visit a pediatric evaluation will be performed. These evaluations
include a variety of tests and measures, and condition specific assessments,
to help determine if a child needs therapy. Physical and/or Occupational
therapy may be recommended if it is found that there are delays in a child's
development, or if there are other therapy related concerns. When looking
at developmental motor milestones it is important to remember that there
is an age range in which a child should typically meet each skill. For
example, your child may have started walking at 11 months, whereas your
nephew may not have started walking until 14 months, but both are considered
within the normal range of development. It is when children don't
meet a certain skill by a certain age that therapists will become concerned
and suggest interventions, for example, not showing an interest in walking
at 18 months. Below are a few global developmental milestones that outline
typical development.
Age:
0-3 months
Milestone skill:
- Limbs flexed symmetrical progressing to smooth movement of all
- Holds head and chest up when on stomach
- Uses eyes to follow objects
- Turns head to sounds
- Begins to keep hands in the open position
- Begins to smile at people
Age:
4-6 months
Milestone skill:
- Bings hands together, picks up and shakes toys
- Likes to play with and smile at people
- Pushes down with legs when feet are on hard surface
- Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
- Sits with support and begins to sit without
- Responds to name
- Knows familiar faces and can respond to others emotions
Age:
7-9 months
Milestone skill:
- Can get into sitting and sits without support
- Tummy crawls progressing to crawling up on hands and knees
- Pulls to stand and stands when holding on to objects
- Transfers objects from one hand to the other
- Picks up small objects using finger and thumb
- Copies sounds and gestures (plays peek-a- boo)
- Understands no
- Finger feeds and able to hold bottle
Age:
10-12 months
Milestone skill:
- Waves "bye"
- Puts objects into container and removes them from container
- Able to walk while holding onto furniture
- Can walk with 2 hands held progressing to 1 and begins to take independent steps
- Isolates finger and points
- Finds hidden items
- Begins to use items correctly, drinks from cup, brushes hair etc.
- Follows simple directions (pick up the toy)
Age:
18 months
Milestone skill:
- Walks well with arms down, may run
- Pushes and pulls large toys
- Can carry toys while walking
- May walk up steps with help
- Can help undress
- Eats with spoon
- Likes to hand things to others as play
- Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
Age:
2 years
Milestone skill:
- Kicks ball
- Begins to run
- Walks up and down stairs, 2 feet per step
- Throws small ball
- Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
- Makes or copies straight lines and circles
If you have found that your child is not developing according to these
milestones and/or have concerns, a therapist can help develop a plan of
care that allows your child to be successful in whatever areas they may
be struggling. Please discuss concerns with your primary care physician
to determine if a therapy referral is needed.
For further details, information, and checklists, regarding developmental
milestones please visit
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
Questions and or comments regarding this week's health column please
contact, Missy Frank, PTA and Amanda Dye, DPT, C/NDT at Marcus Daly Rehabilitation
Center and Services, a service of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 1200
Westwood Drive, Hamilton, MT 59840. Working together to build a healthier
community!