EARLY MULTIDISCIPLINARY REHABILITATION IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY: CURRENT EVIDENCE AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
Developmental Delay, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Early Intervention, Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation, Neurodevelopment, ChildrenAbstract
Developmental delay (DD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions affecting infants and young children worldwide. It is characterized by significant delays in one or more developmental domains, including gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, cognitive, social, and adaptive functioning. Early recognition and timely multidisciplinary rehabilitation are essential for maximizing developmental potential and improving long-term functional outcomes. This review summarizes current evidence regarding early multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies for children with developmental delay. Scientific literature published in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive interventions, family-centered rehabilitation, and emerging rehabilitation technologies. Current evidence indicates that comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation significantly improves motor development, communication skills, cognitive function, adaptive behavior, and social participation. Early intervention during the first years of life, when neuroplasticity is greatest, provides the most favorable outcomes. Future research should focus on individualized rehabilitation programs and the integration of digital health technologies into pediatric rehabilitation
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