Consequences of a child’s premature birth can follow them into the school years. 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

These children may be described as clumsy or uncoordinated. They may have difficulty acquiring complex motor skills such as skipping, hopping or doing jumping jacks, as well as poor physical endurance when compared to peers. 

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

In addition, these children may have difficulty following directions in the classroom, remembering assignments or learning to read. 

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Research indicates children born three months prematurely are 3-4 times more likely to struggle in school than full-term peers and can have learning disabilities that persist through the teenage years.  

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

One study found that premature children had higher levels of anxiety, depression, aggression and lower self concepts than full-term peers. 

The multi-disciplinary team of pediatric therapists at Child and Family Development in Charlotte offers an array of services for children from infancy into young adulthood.