EC Paediatrics

Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at particular age ranges. Children reach these milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move. Therefore, a child’s ability to play, learn, speak, and act offers important clues about the child’s development. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 5% to 15% of children experience some kind of developmental delay. Over 250 million, approximately 43% of children living in low- and middle-income countries have some form of developmental delay. Early childhood is the most vulnerable period for the occurrence of developmental delays. Developmental delay occurs when a child fails to reach a set of developmental milestones either regarding movement and/ or speech, social interaction, behavioral function, as well as cognitive ability as expected of him or her, compared to children of the same age. The delay can be mild, moderate or severe, which may be due to genetic and/or chromosomal abnormalities, infections, difficulties during birth, problems occurring after birth, and in some cases the cause is unknown. Certain disorders such as autism are strongly associated with delays in multiple developmental domains; however, developmental delays differ from developmental disorders, which are lifelong conditions. Parents are always anxious, feel stigmatized, and turn to withdraw from friends and other family members when their child lags behind or fails to reach a set of developmental milestones. Nurses and midwives are expected to educate parents on the normal changes that occur at each stage of the child’s development, and what to do to enhance normal development. The role parents can play in helping their children attain normal developmental milestones cannot be over emphasized. A developmental delay can be reversed or the effect reduced if recognized and support given early. Specific problems like autism and related disorders need a multidisciplinary team to fully evaluate and intervene in order to allow the child to develop to his/her full potential. Some children may significantly improve with intervention, while others may require rehabilitation services and other therapies alongside special education programs to address learning difficulties. These services if made accessible will allow for early identification and support. This paper presents tips on how parents should assist children achieve normal developmental milestones and reduce the incidence of developmental delays.

Keywords: Developmental Milestones; Developmental Delays; Child Development; Parent's Role