SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS - INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS
As a parent, you are in the position to know your baby best. You are with your baby everyday and are one of the most important person your child interacts with. Many new parents have the tendency to compare your baby’s development with other babies.
It is very important to understand that each child develops at their own pace. However, there are certain milestones that babies should reach during their first year. (Parent Fact Sheet –“Infant Developmental Milestones”.
We will discuss some things you should look at to assure your baby is developing at a good pace.
BE PROACTIVE
Get to know the important developmental milestones your baby should be reaching each month. If you have concerns about the way your baby is reacting to you and others or the way your baby physically moves, let your pediatrician know your concerns. Many times early intervention can completely correct a problem that may develop as the child grows.
There are certain developmental domains that help you to measure your baby's development. They are:
DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS
1. SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
This is the process where children learn to understand and manage their emotions. They establish and maintain relationships, and make responsible decisions. They learn to show empathy. They learn communication skills and learn to listen.
2. LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION
This is the process where babies begin to develop communication skills. They learn how to convey their messages to another person through crying, babbling, and body language.
3. COGNATIVE
This is the process of leaning how to figure things out. This is where babies start to explore, learn problem-solving skills, and learn about the world around them.
4. MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
This is the development of the Gross and Fine Motor skills. Gross motor skills refers to physical skills that use large body movements that usually include the entire body.
Fine motor development usually begins to be developed around 4-6 months. Babies begin to learn to use smaller muscles in their hands (grasping, holding, picking up objects).
SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENT DELAY
1. SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
2 -3 MONTHS
• Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
• Does not have eye contact
• Doesn’t smile at people
4-6 MONTH
• Missed 2-3 month milestones
• Doesn’t watch things when they move
• Doesn’t copy facial expressions like smiling or frowning
6-9 MONTHS
• Is missing 4-6 milestones
• Shows no affection for caregivers
• Doesn’t respond to sound around him
• Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people
• Doesn’t respond to own name
1 YEAR
• Is missing previous age milestones
• Doesn’t learn gestures like waving or shaking head
• Loses skills he once had
2. LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION
2-3 MONTHS
• Doesn’t responds to loud sounds
• Doesn’t coo or make gurgling sounds
4-6 MONTHS
• Missed previous month milestones
• Doesn’t coo or make sounds
• Doesn’t copies sounds he hears
6-9 MONTHS
• Missed previous milestones
• Doesn’t respond to sounds around him by making sound
• Doesn’t make vowel sounds (ah,eh,oh)
• Doesn’t babble “mama”, “baba”, “dada”
• Loses skills he once had
• Doesn’t respond to his own name
• Doesn’t understand “no”
1 YEAR
• Missed previous milestones
• Doesn’t notice or cry when mom or dad leave
• Doesn’t repeat sounds or actions to get attention
• Doesn’t play games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”
• Loses skills he once had
3. COGNATIVE
2-3 MONTHS
• Doesn’t pay attention to faces
• Doesn’t watch things as they move
4-6 MONTHS
• Misses previous milestones
• Doesn’t respond to affection
• Doesn’t reach for toys
• Doesn’t recognize familiar things or people at a distance
• Has difficulty brining things to mouth
6-9 MONTHS
• Misses previous milestones
• Doesn’t play any games with back and forth play
• Doesn’t transfer things from one hand to the other
1 YEAR
• Misses previous milestones
• Doesn’t search for things that you hide
• Doesn’t point to things
• Doesn’t make gestures like waving or shaking head
• Doesn’t follow simple directions like “pick up toy”
• Loses skills he once had
4. MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
2-3 MONTHS
• Doesn’t hold head up when pushing on tummy
• Doesn’t hold head steady
• Doesn’t bring things to mouth
• Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface
4-6 MONTHS
• Doesn’t roll over in either direction
• Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
• Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
6-9MONTHS
• Doesn’t reach earlier milestones
• Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support
• Doesn’t sit with help
• Doesn’t transfer toys from one hand to the other
1 YEAR
• Missed pervious milestones
• Doesn’t crawl
• Doesn’t stand when supported