King’s College Hospital London share their advice on understanding your child’s development and the signs to look out for that may indicate that their growth, physical or cognitive, isn’t quite on track.
Every Child is Different
The first thing to understand is that all children will grow and develop at their own pace, and children will naturally have different strengths and weakness; some children will walk sooner than others whilst some will learn how to speak sooner. Most skills develop in the same order, but the age they happen will vary significantly, even for children in the same family. All children are different and it is important for parents to keep this in mind.
It is also important to understand that your child’s development isn’t just about their physical growth, it includes how they play and interact, their motor skills, communication, language, and social skills too. Be aware and alert, and speak with your doctor as soon as you have any concerns.
Understanding What Impacts Your Child's Development
There are lots of different factors that shape your child’s development. These include:
- Play: In the early years, the main way that children learn and develop is through play, which gives them an opportunity to explore, observe, experiment, and solve problems.
- Health: Minor childhood illnesses like coughs and colds- generally won’t have any long-term impact on your child’s development. However, developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will, and so will conditions like cerebral palsy. Intellectual disabilities, genetic disorders, learning disabilities, and hearing or vision impairments can also cause differences in a child’s development.
- Diet: Directly linked to your child’s health, a well-balanced diet will provide all of the nutrients that your child needs to grow and develop.
- Physical activity: Ensuring that your child is physically active from a young age will not only make sure that they are physically healthy but gives them an opportunity to develop key motor skills.
When to Speak to a Doctor
If your child is missing key milestones in their development despite your best efforts to help them along the way, then it is important to speak with a doctor to receive a proper assessment and diagnosis. They’ll put together a holistic rehabilitation program together for your child, tailored to their specific needs. Treatment programs may include sessions that are one-on-one or in a small group.
King’s College Hospital London in Abu Dhabi offer extensive child development services with a specialised, interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.
Their team includes:
- A Consultant Pediatrician & Neuro-Developmental Disorders Specialist
- Ear Nose Throat Consultant & Hearing Specialist
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist who focuses on a child’s occupation (to play, to learn and to develop self-care skills), using a Sensory Integration approach to therapy
- Pediatric Physiotherapist who focuses on promoting normal patterns of movement by structuring activities under low pressure to improve the quality of movements, using a Neuro-Developmental therapy approach.
- Pediatric Speech Language Therapist who provides treatment, support, and care for children who have difficulties with speech and communication using a Hanen and Makaton based Language Program.
For more information visit www.kingscollegehospitaldubai.com
