My baby was diagnosed with gross motor delay. What now?

Delays are usually first identified by parents or pediatricians through general screening questions during well child checks. These screening questions are often generic and just used to flag the need for further testing and/or a referral to a pediatric physical therapist. Your pediatric physical therapist will do their own examination and evaluation of your baby. This includes identifying factors that contribute to a delay as well as identifying the presence of a delay using more thorough standardized testing. Based on their examination, they will provide recommendations regarding the need for therapies or specialist consultations, frequency and anticipated duration of therapy, assistive equipment (braces, shoes, other special clothing, positioners, etc), and exercise for you and your baby to start at home. Not every pediatrician referral will result in ongoing physical therapy services. The need will be determined by the evaluating therapist, but if you disagree with their findings you can speak with them or seek out a second opinion. There are many factors that can influence gross motor delays and not all of them will have a lasting impact on your baby, especially with early intervention. Therapists are there to support your baby and family needs, so be sure to find a therapist you connect with and be open with your questions, challenges, and concerns.