Is Your Child's Development on Track? 7 Milestones to Discuss With a Pediatric Therapist

When you’re at the playground, you watch your child interact with other kids. You know you shouldn’t compare your child with the others, but you can’t help it. The other kids seem bigger, more coordinated, and more advanced. You wonder whether you’re being paranoid.

First, give yourself a little grace, says Caryn B. McAllister, PT, DPT, CEO, and the team of dedicated professionals at HQHT Pediatrics at High Quality Home Therapy. Comparing your child to others is natural, and being vigilant about developmental milestones is good if you know what to look for.

What are developmental milestones?

Let’s begin with a quick primer on developmental milestones. Think back on all those moments that made you text your best friend or call Mom to notify them and, yes, brag a little about what your baby or child just did. Examples of developmental milestones include your baby’s first words, rolling over in their crib the first time, beginning to crawl, or taking their first steps.

Developmental milestones are benchmarks for physical or motor skills or social behaviors that typically occur within a specific age range. Keep in mind that just because your child isn’t mastering a skill like the kid next to them at the playground doesn’t mean that your child has a developmental issue.

Each child develops at a different pace. Use developmental milestones as general guidelines. Be watchful and trust your instincts, as no one knows your child better than you.

Seven Signs that a developmental issue may be brewing

Your baby doesn’t react to the sound of your voice or to loud noises. At about two months old, a baby should recognize the voices in their household. They typically calm down when picked up or react to loud noises.
Your baby has difficulty crawling. At about 6 to 10 months, key motor skills, like crawling or rolling over, should be kicking in.
Your child exhibits problems tying their shoes, dressing themselves, or has balance issues. These skills are other examples of motor skills.
Problems gripping or holding objects like cups, toys, or crayons. Similarly, a motor skill issue may display with difficulties holding or gripping.
Your child shows signs of being under-stimulated or over-stimulated by certain sounds, smells, or textures. How your child taps into basic human senses of touch, sight, hearing, and smell can be insightful to developmental problems.
Your child doesn’t play with other children. If your child avoids eye contact with others or seems socially withdrawn, they may have a developmental delay.
Your school-age child is challenged by logical thinking or remembering simple sequences. While every child has problems with certain subjects, look for concentration issues or an inability to master basic learning.

Schedule a comprehensive evaluation

If you consistently notice one or more of these signs, schedule an evaluation. It may be nothing, but getting it checked out before it becomes a bigger problem is best.

A tHQHT Pediatrics, our compassionate and highly trained pediatric specialists meet with you and your child in the same room as the therapist.

The therapist reviews the family’s medical history and your child’s medical records, depending on the symptoms you’ve observed. The therapist also asks your child to perform some basic tasks to assess your child’s motor skills and sensory and visual reactions to stimuli. Using this information, your therapist gains insight into potential barriers that may hinder meeting milestones.

The evaluation is also a tool to evaluate your child as a good candidate for occupational, physical, or speech therapy.

Multidisciplinary team experienced in pediatrics

At High Quality Home Therapy, our compassionate therapists work as a team experienced in working with children. Our therapists offer educational programming and training for family members, caregivers, and educators. Their work doesn’t stop with your child’s last session. Your providers follow up with you to ensure long-lasting success.

If you have concerns about your child’s developmental milestones, contact High Quality Home Therapy in Stamford, Connecticut. Use our online booking feature or call us today to schedule an evaluation.