Physiotherapy Treatment For Global Development Delay

August 25, 2021

In our previous blog, we've have covered the key information you need about cognitive behavioural therapy. While cognitive behavioural therapy is key to understanding children, it's also important to recognize other issues with children's learning as well, especially when it comes to global developmental delay and their physiotherapy treatment for global developmental delay.


In this article, we'll explore what exactly is global development delay (or simply developmental delay) its various causes, and the available physiotherapy treatment for global developmental delay.




What Is Developmental Delay In Children?


Developmental delay is a term used to describe when an infant or child is delayed in one or more areas compared to the normal timeline and range of development.


These areas can include fine motor skills, gross motor skills, speech and language, cognitive, intellectual, social and emotional development. 


While we will discuss the various causes and risk factors of developmental delay among children, it’s important to understand the root cause of the developmental delay to properly diagnose and plan the right physiotherapy course to make progress in overcoming it.


In most cases, children can improve in their affected area and even catch-up with the normal rate of development with the right physiotherapy treatment and management.


This can be achieved with the right intensive therapy, support and programs.




Global Developmental Delay Diagnosis Criteria


  • Difficulty manipulating objects
  • Delay in meeting motor milestones (e.g. rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking)
  • Muscle stiffness or floppiness
  • Speech delay
  • Swallowing difficulty
  • Clumsiness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Difficulty communicating needs
  • Difficulty understanding and producing speech
  • Difficulty problem solving
  • Lack of independence
  • Poor socialisation
  • Slowed learning
  • Behavioural problems




The Impact of Covid-19 For Developmental Delay Physiotherapy Session


While developmental delay can be effectively addressed with the right physiotherapy treatment, the advent of Covid-19 has brought several challenges to to how treatment sessions are run.


In fact, it's not just the increased risks of Covid-19 exposure to both the physiotherapists and children. The additional challenges include:


  • Interruption of face-to-face consultations
  • Restrictive need of following infection, prevention and control guidelines
  • Requirements of using of personal protective equipment (PPE) for close-contact services


This is compounded by the fact that Covid-19 has brought upon the need of optimising staff count, modifying the appointment timelines and also supporting the physical and mental health of everyone.


However, this has brought forth newer methods of delivering physiotherapy for children with developmental delay. One of them includes tele-rehabilitation, where video-call-based therapy sessions can provide support and treatment to minimise the impact of missing physiotherapy sessions for children with developmental delays!


If you're seeking an alternative way of having physiotherapy treatments for your child during this Covid-19 pandemic, you're welcomed to contact us to find a solution that fits your child!




Physiotherapy Treatment For Global Developmental Delay


Firstly, physiotherapy can assist your child to develop the skills required for play, fine motor, self-help, and problem solving or cognition. This usually starts with directive and fun therapy intervention in order to work towards success in identified goal areas.


For example, physiotherapy exercises can be as simple as kickstarting engaging activities that may promote basic play skills such as “take out” and “put in”, or more complex fine motor skills such as the pincer grasp that allow your child to participate in preschool table-top activities such as puzzles, threading and drawing.


Physiotherapy can also assist with the eventual transition to school and fine motor and cognitive skills required during the school years. Equipment prescriptions or environmental solutions may also be required for home or school.


Here are some benefits that physiotherapy can offer for a child with developmental delay:


  • Understand a child’s medical history
  • Take a family-centred approach that is goal-focused
  • Undertake a thorough assessment of their developmental skills
  • Design a personalised neurological rehabilitation program that is holistic
  • Provide hands-on treatment to teach a child how to move better or more efficiently
  • Provide advice on facilitating skill development and transfer into a child’s daily life, and education on how to best support a child’s health




Choose Well Rehab as your trusted physiotherapy centre for developmental delay in Malaysia


Ensuring a child's future and quality of life improves by overcoming developmental delays drives all of us at Well Rehab.


As Malaysia's leading provider of physiotherapy treatment, we are the preferred, qualified and certified professionals that are trusted nationwide.


For more information about our developmental delays, therapies or services in Malaysia, you may contact us at +60 12 512 8487 or email wellrehabmanagement@gmail.com.

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Special Needs Children in Malaysia

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
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How Occupational Therapy Supports Special Needs Education in Malaysian Schools

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
Special needs education in Malaysia is evolving, with an increasing emphasis on integrating occupational therapy (OT) into the school system. This approach not only supports the educational needs of special needs children but also enhances their overall development. This article delves into how occupational therapy supports special needs education in Malaysian schools, helping both teachers and students achieve better educational outcomes. Integration in Schools Occupational therapy in schools involves the collaboration of occupational therapists with educators to create an inclusive learning environment. Therapists work within the school setting to assess students' needs, develop individualized intervention plans, and implement strategies that support learning and participation in school activities. Support for Teachers and Students Helping Teachers Adapt Lessons One of the critical roles of occupational therapists in schools is to assist teachers in adapting lessons to meet the needs of special needs students. This can involve modifying classroom activities, providing alternative teaching materials, and suggesting strategies to manage sensory and behavioral issues. By making these adjustments, teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Providing Students with Coping Strategies Occupational therapists equip students with strategies to cope with classroom challenges. This can include sensory integration techniques to help children manage sensory overload, exercises to improve focus and attention, and tools to enhance fine motor skills required for writing and other tasks. These strategies enable students to participate more fully in classroom activities and improve their academic performance. Programs and Initiatives Several programs and initiatives in Malaysian schools incorporate occupational therapy to support special needs education. These programs often involve multidisciplinary teams working together to address the diverse needs of students. For example, schools may have dedicated sensory rooms designed by occupational therapists to provide a safe and controlled environment for children to manage sensory issues. Additionally, collaborative efforts between therapists and educators ensure that each child's unique needs are met through personalized education plans.  Conclusion Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in supporting special needs education in Malaysian schools. By helping teachers adapt lessons and providing students with coping strategies, occupational therapists contribute to a more inclusive and effective educational environment. The integration of OT into the school system ensures that special needs children receive the support they need to succeed academically and develop essential life skills. For parents and educators, recognizing the value of occupational therapy can make a significant difference in the educational journey of special needs children.

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