A consultant Paediatric Neurologist, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Paul Ikhurionan has urged mothers to engage more with their children to avoid developmental delays of the child.
Speaking during a Seminar organized by the Institute of Child Health, UBTH/UNIBEN in Benin City, Dr. Ikhurionan, a Senior research fellow in the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin identified factors that protect against developmental delays to include a well functioning family and a mother who engages with the child (maternal sensitivity and responsiveness).
The seminar titled “Understanding developmental delay: helping your child catch up with peers” was chaired by Dr. Israel Aina, a consultant, child psychiatrist in the Department of Mental Health, UNIBEN/UBTH. was attended by over 120 (one hundred and twenty) persons and dignitaries.
According to Dr. Ikhurionan, ” Developmental delay is deviation from normative milestones in the area of cognition, language, social, emotional and motor abilities.
“Developmental delays are increasingly being recognized in society and risk factors include genetic, nutritional, infection, toxic exposure, economic, disadvantage, social and cognitive deprivation.
“Key persons important in recognizing delay are educators, parents and health care workers (through developmental screening) and to help the affected child to catch up, early detection and intervention is key.”
He also disclosed that activities that can help the child with developmental delay and to catch up include, Creating a routine, Setting clear goals, Play-bared learning, Sensory activities (sand play), Reading together daily including story telling, Praise small achievements, Encourage social interventions, Adapt the environment and Work with professionals
After a robust discussion following the seminar presentation, the participants and the Institute resolved to Increase community awareness (to mitigate negative responses like stigma), Encourage the implementation of school health programme and set up support groups which could be a source of help for parents and children alike.
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