DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION GROWTH VS DEVELOPMENT Growth

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION

GROWTH VS. DEVELOPMENT • Growth is when a child is getting physically larger. • Development refers to meeting specific age appropriate milestones. • Milestones include skills in four areas: communication and language, cognition and thinking, social and emotional interactions, and motor or physical movement.

QUALIFYING FACTORS • A child may be referred to special education for Developmental Delay when there is an ongoing delay or multiple delays in reaching milestones. • Any child birth-age 7 meeting criteria can qualify under the category of Developmental Delay. • Prior to the age of 7 the child will be reevaluated to see if he/she meets criteria for one of the other categories.

POTENTIAL CAUSES • A variety of things can cause or contribute to delay, including heredity, problems with pregnancy and premature birth. Some conditions, like Down syndrome for example, are genetic causes for delayed development. • Delays can also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including infection, cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. • Chronic ear infections during infancy and toddlerhood can cause hearing loss, leading to speech and language delays. Lead poisoning may occur in young children who ingest chipped paint, resulting in cognitive delays. • Some delays have no known underlying cause.

STRATEGIES • Use visual cues to orient the student in the classroom. • Post/provide a clear and predictable daily schedule. • Consistent and predictable routine and expectations. • Structured opportunities for social interaction. • Build student motivation: student likes, positive praise, other reinforcers. • Communicate between teacher and special education teacher when concerns arise. • Refer to student’s IEP for accommodations & modifications.

REFERENCES • http: //helpmegrowmn. org/HMG/Helpful. Res/Articles/Dev. Delay/index. html • https: //www. interventioncentral. org/behavioral-interventions/specialneeds/teaching-children-developmental-disabilities-classroom-ideas