ONP Hospitals

Recognizing Early Signs of Developmental Delays

Every child grows and develops at a unique pace, and their general milestones help track healthy progress. Development day occurs when a child takes longer than expected to reach these milestones in areas such as movement, speech, learning behaviour, or social interaction. Early recognition plays a very important role in providing timely support and improving long-term outcomes.

Recognizing Developmental Milestones

Development milestones include physical, cognitive, social, and language skills that most children achieve within a certain age range. These include sitting, walking, speaking first, responding to emotions, following instructions, and interacting with others. When a child consistently misses multiple milestones, it can indicate a delay that needs professional attention.

Warning Indications to Look Out For

Parents should watch out for these symptoms, like:

  • No response to sound or make eye contact.
  • Not properly walking, crawling, or sitting within the allotted time.
  • If there is limited speech or an inability to follow basic instructions.
  • Extreme shyness or aggression, or difficulty interacting with peers.
  • See a good doctor for a developmental screening of your child.

When to Get Medical Advice

Some of the cognitive delay problems are related to thinking, understanding, and problem-solving. If a child may show difficulty in following the simple instructions, remembering things, recognising shapes and colours, or focusing on tasks, parents should seek good medical advice for their developmental delay if their child is not developing according to the milestones.

Early Intervention Is Important

You have to be aware of the developmental delays in children. When these symptoms are detected earlier, they have the best chance to get them develop with proper support from a pediatrician or development specialist. Don’t be afraid to ask any advice from a professional and trust your instincts as a parent.