From their first smile to their first step, your child’s milestones are a celebration of their growth and development. However, if you’ve noticed your baby isn’t progressing at the same pace as other babies their age, you’re likely to be concerned, which is perfectly normal.
While each child is unique and develops at their own pace, significant delays in meeting milestones can sometimes indicate underlying issues. Recognizing the early signs of developmental delays is essential, as prompt intervention can make all the difference.
How do I know if my baby has a developmental delay?
Developmental milestones are skills children should achieve by a certain age. Keep in mind, if your baby was born prematurely, they might need more time to reach some or all the stages. That being said, if milestones aren’t met within a reasonable timeline, it may signify a developmental delay.
Here are some age-appropriate milestones that indicate a baby’s healthy development:
By 3 months, most babies can:
- Lift the head
- Follow a moving object with the eyes
- Grasp a small object
- Turn towards or respond to bright colors, lights, or voices
- Make cooing or gurgling sounds
- Smile when smiling at
- Cry when hungry or uncomfortable
By 6 months, most babies can:
- Reach for and grasp objects
- Pull up to a sitting position
- Rolling over
- Imitate a person’s actions
- Babble
- Laugh when happy, cry when unhappy
By 12 months, most babies can:
- Drink from a cup with help and feed themselves finger foods
- Sit without support
- Stand alone for a few moments
- Respond to music by moving the body
- Crawl to a toy
- Say their first word
- Show affection towards familiar people and apprehension around strangers
- Understand simple commands
What are red flags in child development?
It’s very common for children to develop at different paces. Most of the time, babies reach their milestones close to the expected age, and if not, they catch up quickly. However, trust your instincts. You know your little one best. If something seems odd or wrong about the way your baby moves or behaves, promptly consult your child’s pediatrician.
Some warning signs of a child’s development may include:
By 4 months:
- Doesn’t respond to loud noises
- Doesn’t follow moving objects with eyes (by 3 months)
- Doesn’t grasp objects (by 3 months)
- Doesn’t smile at people (by 3 months)
- Can’t support head (by 3 months)
- Doesn’t bring objects to their mouth (by 4 months)
By 7 months:
- Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
- Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
- Head flops back when their body is pulled to a sitting position
- Shows no affection for main caregivers
- Persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light
- Difficulty getting objects to their mouth
- Doesn’t roll over (by 5 months)
- Can’t sit with help (by 6 months)
- Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds (by 6 months)
By 12 months:
- Doesn’t crawl or scoot or drags one side of their body while crawling
- Can’t stand when supported
- Doesn’t say “mama” or “dada”—or any other single words
- Doesn’t use gestures, such as shaking their head “no”
- Doesn’t point to objects or pictures
- Can’t walk (by 18 months)
What is the most common developmental delay?
A developmental delay occurs when a child consistently lags behind peers in reaching milestones in an area of development. If a child exhibits two or more delays, it’s called a global developmental delay.
There are four main types of developmental delays:
Cognitive
Cognitive delays affect a child’s intellectual functioning – their thinking and reasoning abilities.
Motor
Gross motor delays impede a child’s ability for whole-body movement (running, jumping, catching). Fine motor skills can also be impacted (tying shoes, using scissors, holding a pencil).
Speech and Language Delay
Delays in language skills impact a child’s ability to communicate with or understand the communication of others.
Social and Emotional
Challenges with social-emotional skills manifest in how a child interacts with others. They may also affect how a child interprets or perceives emotions from others.
How early can developmental delays be detected?
Some types of developmental delays, such as speech or motor deficits, may be detected in infancy or the toddler years. Other types, such as cognitive, sensory processing, or social-emotional delays, may not be identified until a child begins school.
When should I be worried about my baby’s development?
It’s normal to be concerned if your little one isn’t hitting milestones as quickly as you’d like, especially when you observe other babies achieving them before yours. Just remember, each child is unique, and there are many physiological, emotional, and environmental factors that can affect the pace of their development. However, if your baby isn’t meeting milestones appropriate for their age, consult with a doctor for further assessment.
Can a child outgrow developmental delay?
In short, yes. Children can outgrow a developmental delay, and most of them will resolve on their own over time. However, if a child has delays due to a genetic condition or is diagnosed with a developmental disability, such as autism spectrum disorder, these are lifelong conditions.
How do you test for developmental delay?
You may observe at your baby’s regular checkups that the pediatrician conducts several small exams to assess your child’s age-appropriate developmental milestones. These screening tests are essential for early detection so that your baby can receive prompt assessment and treatment if needed. In fact, children under three years old with developmental delays may qualify for early intervention services offered in your state to help them reach their milestones.
Treatment for Developmental Delays with Roman Empire Agency
If you’re concerned about your child’s developmental delays, we’re here to help!
From diagnosis to treatment and ongoing support, Roman Empire Agency is here to guide and empower you and your child on this journey.
Contact us today to get started!
