Watching your child grow and develop new skills can be a joyful experience. There’s nothing like hearing your baby laugh for the first time or seeing your child take their first steps. But if you notice your little one seems to be a bit behind other children in a certain area, you may be slightly concerned. Seeking advice from your doctor as soon as you have concerns that your child might have a developmental delay can make a big difference as your child continues to grow.
Your doctor may provide a referral to visit a specialist for additional evaluation to determine if your child has a developmental delay.
What Is a Developmental Delay?
A developmental delay means that your child is not meeting one or more critical milestones. While every child is different, there is a general pattern to a child’s development.
Between the ages of two months to five years old, children reach certain developmental milestones in how they move, play, learn, speak and act. For example, by two months old, most children learn skills such as smiling and holding their head up while on their tummy. By five years old, most kids can count to 10 and hold a conversation consisting of more than three back-and-forth exchanges.
Many children who are late developing certain skills eventually catch up, and early intervention can help. However, in some cases, a delay can be a sign of a developmental disability, which is a more serious, long-term condition.
Signs of a developmental delay include:
- Delayed physical milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up or walking
- Inability to lift the head and neck
- Speech delays
- Stiff muscles
- Difficulty swallowing
- Limp or awkward body posture
- Clumsiness
- Muscle spasms
If you notice any of these signs or anything else that concerns you, don’t wait to seek guidance.
“The first step is making an appointment with your pediatrician,” said Debbie Badawi, MD, division head for developmental-behavioral pediatrics at University of Maryland Medical Center. “Your pediatrician can make sure there are no other medical concerns causing symptoms and ensure your child has had hearing and vision screenings. They can also point you in the right direction for further evaluation from a specialist and connect you to other helpful resources and services.”
The Difference Between Developmental Delays and Disabilities
While children develop at different paces and sometimes take longer than others to meet certain milestones, in some cases, delays can signal an underlying condition. Developmental disabilities are more serious and can affect mental health and emotional development, the way children communicate and interact, and can cause physical limitations. Autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common developmental disabilities. Others include Down syndrome and Rett syndrome.
While developmental disabilities are life-long conditions, they can often be detected in early childhood. Treatment can help children learn the skills they need to lead productive lives and ease their symptoms. Special education classes, counseling, along with physical, speech and occupational therapy can help.
Helping Your Child Thrive
Many resources are available to help you ensure your child is on track as he or she gets older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a Milestone Tracker that allows you to track milestones your child is expected to reach at every age. The tracker also gives tips for when to talk to your pediatrician, as well as ideas for activities to do with your child.
“It’s also important to know that if you are concerned about your child’s development, you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis from a specialist to seek early intervention services,” Dr. Badawi said. “If you feel your child isn’t where they should be, you can also make a self-referral.”
In Maryland, referrals for intervention services can be made online for children three years old and younger. For children older than three, consult with your pediatrician.
More to Read
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- Food Allergies: How They Develop and How to Treat Them
- Should I Take My Child to the Emergency Room?
- Why is Respiratory Syncytial Virus Rising in Children?
Medically reviewed by Debbie Badawi, MD.
