Dr. Curtis Cripe Explains Different Developmental Delays in Children
Dr. Curtis Cripe’s research on neuroengineering touches on cognitive disorders and neurodevelopmental delays. In this blog post, Dr. Cripe discusses four types of developmental delays parents should be aware of.
On speech delays
Children with speech delays will have trouble understanding words or concepts. They may even have a limited vocabulary for their age. Those with this type of speech delay may take longer to babble, speak, and form complete sentences. They might also exhibit both expressive and receptive difficulties. Oral motor or other physiological issues can potentially contribute to speech delays.
On cognitive delays
Children with cognitive delays experience difficulties in reasoning and problem-solving. This may lead to learning and comprehension challenges that become apparent when a child goes to school or socializes with others.
On socioemotional delays
Struggling to comprehend social cues, initiate or maintain dialogues, or manage disappointment can signify socioemotional delay. Children also struggle to handle emotionally and socially difficult situations. One potential sign is when a baby doesn’t point or respond to words, smiles, or signals from parents. Dr. Curtis Cripe says another indication is when a child exhibits a fear of unfamiliar faces.
On motor delays
Motor skill delays can be seen in a child’s inability to use major muscle groups, like the arms and legs. A weakness with smaller muscle groups, such as the hands, can also be seen. Gross motor delays can pose a challenge for infants to roll over or crawl. It can also make older children appear awkward, especially when doing usual movements. Children with fine motor delays will have trouble grasping small objects like toys and doing common tasks like tying shoes or brushing their teeth.
A child’s brain goes through a specific development period from infancy to toddlerhood. Various factors, including the child’s interactions and surroundings, impact development. Parents and other adults should monitor their child’s growth to address potential delays.
Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He specializes in developing brain-based technologies for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. More on Dr. Cripe here.
Dr. Curtis Cripe 