Hi

[mommy2sarah]

I am a mum to a 17mth old. She has just been accessed to have a developmental delay. She is not walking or talking at all. She has been attending a special playgroup recently.
Can anyone give me some ideas to help with her delays?
The Dr says she is about 6mths behind.
?(

[MaryL]

Welcome to the IdeaBox. I'm not an expert in developmental delays....but it would seem that the playgroup is a great start, for both of you!:) I would probably talk to her constantly...play music...etc. Does she have strong muscle tone in her legs? Can she put weight on them if you're holding her hands? Is she crawling? I think your doctor would be your best source of information...even if it means referrals to appropriate specialists.

[mommy2sarah]

She is actually walking a little. Her muscle tone is quite good. She is a big girl (16kgs). I kept putting her not walking due to the weight to little feet ratio!!!
She is saying very few words, but understands alot of what we say. She answers us back in her own words - mumbo jumbo. We are attending a playgroup for delayed children. I am not her mother - i am her foster mum. We dont know the extend of her delay as yet. The dr has ordered blood tests to be done to check her chromozone levels. Her parents are both delayed. So i suppose it was a forgone conclusion that this little cherub would have some sort of delay.
To us - it is not a handicap at all....
It just makes her more special to us.

[Marla]

Hi and welcome to the ideabox :wave:

I work as an Early Interventionist, working with all types of children (from birth to seven years) who have various special needs (including developmental delays). If you want to e-mail me at
just4jaz@hotmail.com
I may be able to help you out with some ideas.