Week 2 - Developmental Delay

Question 1

What features are required for a diagnosis of a global developmental delay?

Answer 1

● Significant delay in 2 or more areas of development
● Multitude of unrelated conditions with very different clinical presentations and prognosis
● DSM-V Definition:
i. Under age of 5-years
ii. Individual fails to meet expected developmental milestones in several areas of
intellectual functioning
iii. Applies to individuals who are unable to undergo systematic assessment of intellectual
functioning

Question 2

What is an ecologically valid intervention?

Answer 2

when an intervention is carried out in a natural
environment that enables skill transfer to parents or teachers. It ensures that strategies
employed are transferable to home and community environments

Question 3

What do you understand by the term by Global Developmental Delay?

Answer 3

• Given to children under the age of 5
• Display intellectual/general development delay or disability in several areas of functioning, but cannot be diagnosed with a condition (e.g. too young to undergo diagnosis process
• Requires reassessment after a period of time

Question 4

What factors might contribute to a ‘transient’ developmental delay?

Answer 4

Premature birth
Illness or hospitalisation
Family stress
Lack of opportunity to practice skills
Note - transient = subject to change

Question 5

How would you support parents when a child is identified as having a developmental delay?

Answer 5

• Provide education and support for the family as well as the child to combat the uncertainty of diagnosis, and to assist with adjustment to new roles and expectations.
• Provide agencies for further support if they require (e.g. counselling, support groups)

Question 6

Developmental screening assessment

Answer 6

Look at the developmental history of the child to gather information on risk factors, characteristics and possible considerations moving forward with a treatment.

Question 7

Diagnostic assessment

Answer 7

Completed for the express purpose of gathering info for a diagnosis, Will look at the child’s abilities, concerns and limitations for this purpose rather than to gather general information

Question 8

Issues parents face when their child has a developmental delay

Answer 8

• Uncertainty
• Adjustment to changed expectations and new roles
• Long term burden of care
• Involvement with multiple professionals

Question 9

Which occupations are most likely to be affected by developmental delay in toddlerhood/early childhood

Answer 9

• Feeding
• Play
• Sleep
• Pre academic tasks
• Seld care tasks

Question 10

Which occupations are most likely to be affected by developmental delay in middle childhood

Answer 10

• Self care tasks
• Academic tasks
• Social skills
• Community participation

Question 11

Which occupations are most likely to be affected by developmental delay in adolescence

Answer 11

• Self care tasks
• Social skills and participation
• Leisure
• Pre-vocational skill development
• Emotional health

Question 12

Challenges for children and youth

Answer 12

• Impact across multiple areas of occupational performance

- Variable severity (revealed over time )

Question 13

Information gathering approaches

Answer 13

• Interview
• Goal setting tools
• Analysis of activities and skills, occupational performance (understanding of typical development performance

Question 14

Purpose of developmental monitoring

Answer 14

• Parental reassurance
• Early detection of developmental difficulties
• Supporting information for diagnostic assessment