Recognizing Developmental Delays in Children: Early Signs and Interventions

Do you live in San Ramon & Pleasanton, CA, and worry about developmental delays in your child? Children should reach certain cognitive, speech, and physical milestones at various ages. Therefore, if your three-year-old is non-verbal, there is an issue that parents, educational, and medical professionals should address. The TRI-Valley Pediatrics team can provide the care and intervention needed.

Signs of Developmental Delay in San Ramon, CA & Pleasanton, CA

Developmental delays in children can manifest in speech, motor, behavioral, and physical issues. You should be alarmed if your child doesn’t make eye contact. Even babies began following their parents and other caretakers with their eyes. They may smile and reach out for them. By the time children are two years old, they should have a vocabulary of roughly 50 words. At 12 months, a child should've already said their first word and should have been babbling before that. Therefore, it is alarming if your child is over one year range, and has not advanced from babbling or done any at all. 

Children should also be able to follow simple instructions and be understood by adults around them by the time they reach two years old. Therefore, even if they are speaking, if they sound incoherent, they may have a speech delay or have hearing issues. You should also pay attention to your child’s emotional and social behaviors. A lack of engagement with other kids, family members, and playtime may signal that your child may not be emotionally connected with the world.

Interventions That Can Help

The best intervention depends on what the delay in your child is. Speech pathologists can work with your child to help them improve language skills. They may also need hearing tests, as they may not be properly hearing the words adults are saying. Occupational therapy through playtime can help children improve working with their hands. Manipulating Play-Doh, building blocks, and working with Velcro straps and buttons can improve use with their hands. Physical therapy can help motor-delayed children improve their balance and coordination. It is also imperative that schools, parents, pediatricians, and other stakeholders work together to coordinate intervention for any child experiencing various delays.

When you are concerned about your child’s developmental delay in San Ramon & Pleasanton, CA, call our Pleasanton office at (925) 460-8444 or the San Ramon office at (925) 380-6230 for help. The medical staff at TRI-Valley Pediatrics looks forward to assisting you in providing the intervention your child needs.