Developmental Warning Signs

IF AT ANY AGE YOUR CHILD HAS:
  • limited play, self-care, skilled hand or tool use, or social participation as expected for age
  • sensory preferences or aversions that limit any of the above
  • short attention span for age
  • limited food repertoire, strong food preferences or aversions
  • overly clumsy, uncoordinated movements, apparent weakness, balance problems
  • delayed developmental milestones
  • poor eye contact and interaction with family
IF AT BIRTH TO SIX MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • have suck/swallow/breathe coordination
  • control head and neck as expected for age
  • give eye contact or seem “connected” as expected for age
  • hold hands in fists
  • kick feet when on back
  • smile
IF AT SIX MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • calm or accept comfort when upset
  • play with rattles
  • watch a parent’s face
  • follow a moving object with eyes
  • reach towards objects and faces
  • turn eyes or head toward sounds, bright colors, and lights
  • begin exploring objects with hands and mouth
  • make cooing sounds when interacting with family
  • watch a parent’s face and show happiness
IF AT EIGHT MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • sit independently
  • accept a variety of textures and types of food
  • move toy from one hand to the other
  • play with toes
  • roll with stomach to back
  • recognize familiar faces
  • share back-and-forth sounds and facial expressions
  • babble or repeat sounds like “da-da” or “ma-ma”
IF AT 12 MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • attempt Pat-a-cake, So Big, etc.
  • pick up Cheerios or other small items
  • poke or point with finger
  • crawl on hands and knees
  • pull self to standing position with support
IF AT 15 MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • take a few steps independently
  • play with a variety of toys or objects
  • put objects into containers
  • stack at least two blocks
  • drink from a cup or sippy cup
  • hold arms and legs out while being dressed
  • say at least three to five words
IF AT 24 MONTHS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • point to named body parts
  • consistently feed self with a spoon and drink from a cup
  • turn one page at a time in books
  • push, pull, and dump, following simple directions
  • pull off shoes, socks, and mittens
  • look at pictures in books
  • walk completely unaided
  • scribble spontaneously when provided with marking tool
IF AT THREE YEARS YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • ride tricycle using pedals
  • use fingers and thumb to hold marker or crayon
  • open door independently
  • imitate parents
  • build a tower with four blocks
  • sing phrases of songs
  • use two and three word sentences
IF AT FOUR YEARS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • play simple group games
  • take interest in coloring and drawing
  • cut paper in half
  • share toys with adult prompting
  • use toilet with adult prompting
  • put on shoes (without tying)
IF AT FIVE YEARS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • dress self independently
  • take turns in play, and play cooperatively with other children
  • draw a person with at least five recognizable parts
  • eat with a fork and spoon
  • count to 10
  • attempt to copy letters and numbers (age 5 1/2)
  • bathe self with minimal assistance
IF AT SIX YEARS, YOUR CHILD DOES NOT:
  • ride a bike with training wheels
  • draw recognizable pictures with basic shapes
  • consistently print letters of name
  • count to 20
  • tie shoes
OLDER CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:
  • frustration, anxiety, and undesirable behaviors regarding writing tasks
  • muscle aches, pains, fatigue, cramps, or tremors
  • immature grasp of writing tool
  • discrepancy between cognitive skills and performance
  • noticeable difference in speed of completion, or quality of writing as compared to agemates
  • increased difficulty with cursive writing and lengthy writing tasks
  • lack of independence with self care activities
  • lack of independence with play and leisure time
  • difficulty with planning, sequencing, and organization
  • frustration or difficulty with other activities requiring skilled tool use

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER RED FLAGS

INFANTS AND TODDLERS
  • problems eating or sleeping
  • refuses to go to anyone but their parent for comfort
  • irritable when being dressed, uncomfortable in clothes
  • rarely plays constructively with toys
  • resists cuddling, arches away when held
  • cannot calm self
  • floppy or stiff body, motor delays
PRESCHOOLERS
  • oversensitive to touch, noises, smells, other people
  • difficulty making friends
  • difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, or toilet-training
  • clumsy, poor motor skills, weak
  • in constant motion, in everyone else’s “face and space”
  • frequent or long temper tantrums
GRADE SCHOOLERS
  • oversensitive to touch, noise, smells, other people
  • easily distracted, fidgety
  • craves movement
  • aggressive
  • easily overwhelmed
  • difficulty with handwriting or other motor activities
  • difficulty making friends
  • unaware of pain
ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS
  • oversensitive to touch, noise, smells, other people
  • poor self-esteem
  • afraid of failing at new tasks
  • lethargic and slow
  • always on the go
  • impulsive, distractible
  • leaves tasks uncompleted
  • clumsy, slow
  • poor motor skills or handwriting
  • difficulty staying focused at school or work
  • unmotivated, never seems to take joy in life