Is My Child Behind? Early Development Milestones and When to Seek Support'
Youngsters develop in their own time. Some children will be able to walk by age one and won't say a word until three. There are some children who will skip whole stages of development altogether. These variances can occur and generally do not indicate that something is wrong with the child.
Developmental milestones are simply an average for all children. Therefore, a child who has never spoken does not necessarily fall outside the "typical" range. However, there are several indicators of potential developmental delays that parents should be aware of. Identifying if there is variance or a cause for concern is the most important factor. Observing the development process includes not only noting when your child reaches a milestone, but also how quickly (or slowly) they achieve it.
What to Look for: Quick Self-Checklists
Each developmental area has a set of broad checkpoints. These can help you notice potential issues without jumping to conclusions.
Speech and Language (by age 2): Uses at least 50 words, combines two words, follows simple instructions.
Motor Skills (by age 3): Runs without falling often, builds a tower of blocks, and uses stairs with some help.
Social/Emotional (by age 2–3): Shows interest in other children, engages in pretend play, responds to the emotions of others.
Missing several of these milestones could mean your child needs support. Tracking progress is more useful than focusing on a single missed skill. Delays in one area may resolve on their own. Others benefit from early attention.
Early Signs of Delayed Development
When your gut tells you something is wrong with your child you should trust it. As parents, we are always aware of our child's frustration or withdrawal from social interactions. We also see unusual forms of communication or different ways of playing. It is essential to acknowledge these feelings as legitimate; feeling uneasy about your child does not mean you are being paranoid, everybody wants what is best for their children and seeking professional advice or help is sometimes the best way to go about it if you are worried.
You don't have to wait for a teacher or doctor to point this out before taking action. Taking early action will give you clarity about what is going on and what to do next.
Getting Support
The most common place to start getting support is with your pediatrician. A pediatrician will assist you in making the referral for an early intervention evaluation or refer you to other local resources. School districts perform a developmental screening for all children entering public school. All states have programs called early intervention (EI) that serve children under the age of three.
If you're looking for therapy services, speech-language support, occupational therapy, or behavior services, you can reach out to providers like MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy. They will provide both assessment and treatment services for your child.
What Happens Next?
After the evaluation, the professional may tell you that your child is developing in line with expectations for their age and development. This will likely bring you relief and closure. If they identify some areas where your child could benefit from additional support, they will work with you to develop a plan for providing services to your child. This could be in the form of individual sessions with a therapist or providing support within a preschool setting.
Families often find that starting early makes a difference. Even short-term services can help a child build confidence and skills.
Not every delay means there’s a problem. However, concerns regarding delays should be taken seriously. Understanding how development typically occurs and identifying the patterns of development will allow you to determine whether to wait and whether to take action.
Utilize checklists to track development, look for patterns of development, and speak with a professional if you are concerned about your child's development. Trust your instincts. There is help available. Seeking guidance is a proactive way to understand and meet your child’s needs.