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Developmental delays in children can be identified by comparing their abilities to those of their peers. Milestone delays such as crawling or walking, stubbornness, stiff limbs, and communication difficulties may indicate a delay. Doctors should be consulted for concerns.
There are several signs that a developmental delay may be present in a child. While it is important to avoid comparing one child to another in many respects, it is sometimes helpful to examine the developmental abilities of the child in question against what is generally considered normal for a particular age group. Delays in milestones such as crawling or walking can indicate a delay in a child’s development. Stubbornness, stiff limbs, or an inability to communicate with facial movements or sounds can suggest the possibility of developmental delay. Any specific questions or concerns about a possible developmental delay in a child should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
By two months of age, most babies are able to hold their head up on their own when held and can smile when they hear a familiar voice. A child of this age normally begins to visually focus on nearby objects. The absence of these skills can cause concern that a child’s developmental delay might be a problem, although many doctors are reluctant to diagnose these delays so early in life.
In many cases, a possible delay in a child’s development becomes most apparent between three and six months. By six months of age, most babies are able to sit up without assistance and reach out to grab a desired object, such as a favorite toy. Children with normal developmental skills will look around for the source of sounds and may begin to stutter.
A baby who can’t sit up unassisted by age eight months or who hasn’t started crawling by age one year may have one or more developmental delays. Most babies are able to speak a few simple words by age one and have usually developed a pincer grip. This involves using the thumb and forefinger to pick up small objects.
Extreme anger or stubbornness can sometimes indicate a developmental delay in a child. If the arms or legs feel stiff, or if the baby seems to favor one side of the body over the other, the cause may be considered a developmental problem. Visual delays can cause your child to constantly rub their eyes or struggle to focus on objects. Hearing delays can be a problem if your child’s voice seems to be consistently too loud or so quiet that it’s almost inaudible.
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