Exercise for Developmental Delay
Developmental delay (DD) is a condition where children take longer than expected to learn skills like sitting, crawling, walking, and talking (known as developmental milestones). Developmental delay can be caused by various reasons, including genetic conditions, premature birth, and infection or illness after birth. It can also be hard to recognize because children all develop at different rates.
Children can have delayed development in one or more areas, including motor (movement) skills, communication, social skills, and daily living activities. Children under the age of five who have delayed development in two areas or more may be diagnosed with global developmental delay (GDD). Some children with DD end up catching up with their peers. Early developmental delay can also suggest that a child may have a disability.
Children with DD may need support from various health professionals, including Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs), to help optimize their development, independence, and quality of life.
WHY IS EXERCISE IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS?
Developmental delay often affects a child’s physical function, including muscle tone, balance, posture, and coordination. This can lead to difficulties with everyday things like walking, running, sitting up in a chair, and using their hands. In turn, this can affect a child’s independence and ability to take part in activities like childcare, school, and sport.
For children with DD, exercise can help to improve their physical function, independence, and ability to participate in their families and communities.
Exercise is essential for achieving good physical and mental health and lowering chronic disease risk. This is especially important for children with disability, who are at higher risk of experiencing poor health and many illnesses.
Research has shown the value of exercise for kids with DD. In one paper, researchers analyzed results from 17 studies exploring whether physical activity (PA) can benefit children and youth with developmental disabilities. They found various types of PA (including group exercise programs, treadmill training, and aquatic exercise programs) could improve gross motor skills and aerobic capacity.
In another study, 52 children and adolescents with a disability (or chronic illness) took part in six months of graded exercise training. They achieved significant improvements in fitness, muscle strength, walking capacity, and health-related quality of life measures.
Research has also shown that children and youth with a disability who participate in sports at least twice per week have better psychological and social well-being than those who don’t.
WHAT TYPE OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
Every child with DD is different. One child may have profound movement and communication challenges that significantly affect their function, while another may have mild coordination and balance problems. Therefore, the best type of exercise will depend on each child’s needs and goals.
As experts in prescribing exercise for people with disability and health issues, AEPs can design a tailored program to suit your child’s unique circumstances. The program will include a variety of exercises to address specific concerns.
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic activities, such as walking, swimming, and cycling, keep the heart, lungs, and blood vessels healthy while aiding weight management. Aerobics exercise for Developmental also triggers the release of hormones that help you feel good.
Resistance (strength) training
Children with DD may struggle with balance, particularly due to low muscle tone or weakness in leg and trunk muscles. Resistance training can help to improve muscle strength, thereby improving functional ability.
Balance training
Some children with DD have trouble with balance, especially if they have low muscle tone or weakness in the leg and trunk muscles. Along with strength exercises, your AEP might prescribe specific balance training activities.
Stretching
Children with DD sometimes have tight or still muscles. Stretching exercises can help to improve flexibility and prevent contractures (shortening and stiffness).
Co-ordination training
Children with developmental delay may struggle with body coordination, including coordinating opposite arm and leg movements. Your AEP can design exercises to help with this.
Training support people
Young children with DD often need support from their caregivers to complete an exercise for Developmental program, which will often be play-based. Your AEP can help you find fun ways to help your child get the movement and activity they need to reach their goals.
GUIDANCE FROM AN ACCREDITED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST
Children with DD can have a wide range of needs – from mild to complex and profound. For example, they may have mobility limitations or impaired vision or hearing. They may have other health conditions, such as heart, lung, gut or nervous system problems.
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist will consider all these when they assess and plan a program for your child. Tailor the program to your child’s goals, ensuring flexibility and progress tracking as they achieve milestones. Your AEP can support you to make movement and activity a fun part of your child’s everyday life.
Click here to find an exercise physiologist near you.
Written by Amanda Semaan and Kara Foscholo. Amanda and Kara are Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Co-Directors of Active Ability, whose mission is to support people with disability to achieve optimal independence, health, and quality of life.
