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Global Development Delay

The term development delay or global development delay is used when a child takes longer to reach developmental milestones than other children. This may include factors such as cognitive function, speech or motor skills.

Global development delay can occur as a result of a variety of conditions. Such as:

  • Autism
  • Down Syndrome
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
  • Aspergers
  • Brain Injury
  • Muscular Dystrophy

Motor Delay

Motor delays in motor skills are common in children with global development delay. The delay in motor skills interferes with the child’s ability to coordinate large muscle groups, such as those in the arms and legs, as well as the smaller muscles such as those in the hands. Infants with motor delay may have difficulty rolling over or crawling and older children may seem clumsy or have trouble walking up and down stairs.

Some problems that may arise from genetic conditions may affect the length of the limb or affect the muscles. Due to this, children may experience difficulties planning, monitoring, regulating and controlling movement.

How Can Children’s Orthotics Help?

Due to a higher rate of motor skill impairments, including deficits during fine and gross motor activities, children may struggle with:

  • Balance Skills
  • Gait Patterns
  • Postural Stability
  • Joint Flexibility
  • Movement Speed

At Children’s Orthotics, we have access to a wide range of devices that can be used to provide stability, promote alignment and assist with movement. Our paediatric orthotists will take time to understand your child’s needs and expectations to identify the best treatment plan for them.

What Types of Orthotics Might Be Effective?

Children’s Orthotics provide a variety of orthotics to help with difficulties caused by Global Development Delay, depending on the outcome of the orthotist assessment. Common devices prescribed include:

  • Spinal brace - used to maintain alignment of the spine
  • Lyrca suits - dynamic orthoses made from a lycra based fabric, providing a very close fit that increases proprioception (the body’s ability to sense movement, action and location) and allows natural muscle movement whilst supporting abnormal or weaker movement with specifically placed panels that place pressure and direction on specific muscles.
  • Anti-Contracture orthoses - used to stretch out tight muscles
  • Lower body orthoses - aim to manipulate the child's foot, ankle, knee and hip positions through their walking cycle. Lower body orthoses consist of Foot Orthoses (FOs), Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) and Knee Foot Orthoses (KAFO).
  • FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) - a method in which low level electrical impulses are applied to nerves or muscles to try and improve muscle function.
  • Leg gaiters - used to help a child learn to stand without the knee giving way
  • Orthopaedic footwear
  • Insoles

What Might the Assessment Procedure Involve

In the first instance, an appointment would be made with an orthotist in which a full initial assessment would be conducted. Your orthotist will ask you questions about your child’s daily activities and medical history. The paediatric orthotist will undertake a gait examination and watch them walk, paying attention to movements at their affected joints and making observations of how their body moves. Following this, your child’s treatment options and goals will be discussed and a prescription made. Any devices that are required will be fabricated using materials chosen specifically to meet their requirements and then a fitting session arranged. All of our prescriptions and fittings are followed by a review to ensure that the treatment is effective and any adjustments can be made.

To get in touch or arrange an appointment, you can call us at 0330 088 3949 or email office@orthotics.co.uk.

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