Early detection of developmental disorders is critical for getting a child the help they need as soon as possible. There are a number of early signs that may indicate a child has a developmental delay or disorder. These signs can appear as early as infancy and may affect a child’s motor skills, speech and language development, cognitive skills, social and emotional skills, and adaptive behavior skills. Some early warning signs include:
Motor Skills
– Not reaching motor skill milestones like holding their head up by 3 months or sitting up without support by 6 months
– Persistent toe walking past age 2
– Difficulty manipulating small objects and holding utensils after age 1
– Clumsiness, like frequently tripping or bumping into things
Speech and Language
– Not babbling by 9 months
– No meaningful, single-word speech by 15 months
– Difficulty combining two or more words together by age 2
– Regressive loss of language skills at any age
Cognitive Skills
– Delay in developing object permanence skills like peek-a-boo by 9 months
– Inability to follow simple one-step directions by age 1
– Lack of pretend play skills by 18 months
– Persistent mouthing and chewing of non-food objects past age 2
Social and Emotional Skills
– Minimal eye contact
– Lack of interest in interacting with others or surroundings by 6 months
– No social smiling by 6 months
– No back-and-forth gesturing like pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
– Inconsistent reactions to others’ emotions
– Intense and frequent emotional outbursts
Adaptive Behavior Skills
– Difficulty being separated from primary caregiver by 6-8 months
– Extreme difficulty transitioning between activities
– Trouble sleeping through the night by 9 months
– Excessive irritability or passivity
– Difficulty being toilet trained by age 4
If your child demonstrates any of these signs of delayed development, it is important to talk to your pediatrician right away. While every child develops at their own pace, certain milestones should be met within a typical timeframe during the first few years of life. Missing milestones or losing previously acquired skills are red flags for a potential developmental disorder.
Common Types of Developmental Disorders
There are many different types of developmental disorders that may emerge in the early years. Some of the most prevalent include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Some early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include:
– No babbling, pointing or gestures by 12 months
– No single words by 16 months
– Poor eye contact
– Lack of response to own name
– Reduced engagement with others
– Delayed imaginative and social play
– Repetitive behaviors like rocking, hand flapping or spinning objects
– Excessive attachment to routines
– Adverse responses to sensory input
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Signs of ADHD may start to show between ages 3-6 such as:
– Extreme impulsivity
– Short attention span
– Constant motion and fidgeting
– Excessive talking
– Difficulty playing quietly
– Social struggles
– Disorganization
– Forgetfulness
Learning Disabilities
Some early red flags for learning disabilities include:
– Delayed speech and language development
– Difficulty rhyming words or recognizing letters/numbers
– Trouble following directions
– Poor short-term memory
– Problems staying focused on tasks
– Slow to reach academic milestones like reading
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability may exhibit these early symptoms:
– Delayed sitting, crawling, walking
– Slow to use gestures like waving or pointing
– Limited vocabulary or difficulty forming words
– Trouble solving simple problems
– Short attention span and poor memory
– Difficulty connecting actions with consequences
When to Seek Help
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened for general development during regular well-child visits at:
– 9 months
– 18 months
– 24 or 30 months
– Additional screening at any well-child visit if a concern is raised
Developmental screening provides an opportunity to identify issues early when intervention can be most effective.Pediatricians use standardized screening tools that address a child’s development across domains like motor function, language, cognitive ability, and social-emotional health.
Even before formal screening, parents should discuss any developmental concerns with their child’s doctor right away. Don’t adopt a “wait and see” approach—early action can make a dramatic difference in minimizing the impact of a disorder. Parents know their children best and are often the first to detect something is “off.”
Other signs a child should be evaluated for a developmental disorder include:
– No progress in development or loss of skills at any age
– A dramatic difference in skills compared to peers
– Behaviors that interfere with development like extreme tantrums, lack of interest, or difficulty sleeping/eating
Early intervention services are available in every U.S. state to identify and start treating developmental delays as soon as possible. A comprehensive evaluation will determine if a child qualifies for speech, occupational, physical, or applied behavioral therapies. Research shows addressing needs early may help some children entirely overcome developmental deficits.
Causes
There are diverse causes of developmental disabilities that originate before birth, during delivery, or after birth. Contributing factors may include:
Genetic Conditions
– Chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, or Rett syndrome
– Inherited disorders like Tay-Sachs disease or phenylketonuria (PKU)
Prenatal Issues
– Exposure to toxins like lead or mercury while in the womb
– Maternal viral/bacterial infections during pregnancy
– Poor nutrition during pregnancy
– Drug, alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy
Perinatal Problems
– Premature birth or low birth weight
– Birth trauma like oxygen deprivation
– Jaundice or infections shortly after birth
Postnatal Factors
– Childhood infections that go to the brain like meningitis or encephalitis
– Head injuries from accidents
– Exposure to environmental toxins like lead
– Poor nutrition in infancy/early childhood
For around 30% of cases, the exact cause is unknown. Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean a child will develop a disability. Likewise, the absence of risks never rules out the possibility. Early screening and detection are vital whether or not a cause can be identified.
Treatments
While most developmental disorders cannot be cured, many therapies and interventions can significantly improve a child’s functioning. The earlier treatment starts, the better the outcome typically is. Some of the main therapies used include:
Speech Therapy
Speech therapists work to improve communication skills and address difficulties with articulation, language comprehension, and social use of language. Goals may include building vocabulary, remediating speech sound errors, or developing alternative communication techniques if a child is nonverbal.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists help children develop age-appropriate fine motor, sensory processing, and adaptive living skills through structured activities. Therapy may focus on skills like using utensils, buttoning clothes, printing letters, or managing classroom tools.
Physical Therapy
For motor delays, physical therapists provide activities to strengthen large muscles, balance, and coordination. They may address issues like low muscle tone, impaired gross motor skills, or poor body awareness.
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is centered on modifying challenging behaviors and building appropriate skills through positive reinforcement. It is commonly used for autism spectrum disorder.
Early Childhood Intervention
Early intervention programs offer a combination of therapies and education to foster development. Services are coordinated to meet the individual needs of the child and family.
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology includes devices and tools to enable independence with everyday tasks that are otherwise difficult for the child. Examples include communication aids, mobility equipment, or adapted learning materials.
Special Education Services
Once school-aged, children with disabilities are entitled to an individualized education program (IEP) that outlines services and accommodations to facilitate academic success.
Medications
Medications may help manage associated symptoms in some cases, like ADHD, seizures, or mental health conditions. However, there are no medications that directly treat the underlying developmental disorders themselves.
Prognosis
The prognosis depends significantly on the specific disorder, its severity, and the age at which interventions begin. Intensive early intervention offers the best chance of minimizing future disability. With appropriate therapies and support, many children are able to develop important skills, attend mainstream school, and live independent and fulfilling lives.
However, developmental disorders are lifelong conditions. Ongoing monitoring and management are critical even after initial improvements occur. While some children can overcome delays entirely, for most challenges remain to some degree lifelong. Continuity of care helps ensure any emerging issues are promptly identified and treated.
Prevention
Research into causes and risk factors allows recommendations for some ways to minimize the chances of having a child with developmental disabilities:
– Take folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy
– Avoid alcohol, smoking, and illicit drugs during pregnancy
– Manage chronic maternal health conditions prenatally like diabetes, hypertension, and seizures
– Test for infections during pregnancy and treat appropriately
– Make sure all immunizations are up-to-date during pregnancy
– Attend regular prenatal medical visits to monitor fetal growth and development
– Follow pediatrician recommendations for newborn screenings
– Ensure good nutrition and safe environments in infancy and early childhood
– Use caution with any medications or chemicals that could pass to a breastfed baby
– Prioritize early prenatal and well-child care to catch any emerging issues
However, it is important to know that nothing can definitively prevent all developmental disabilities. Even with excellent prenatal care and ideal early childhood conditions, disorders can still arise. Early screening and intervention are vital for all children.
Conclusion
Identifying developmental disorders early substantially improves outcomes for children. Many renowned health organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize acting quickly on any concerns about missed milestones or regressions. Ongoing developmental monitoring, screening, and evaluations allow issues to be caught early.
When disorders are detected early, therapies and treatments can begin promptly during the crucial window of rapid development in a young child’s life. Research demonstrates the effectiveness of high-quality early intervention in reducing long-term impairments.
While not always preventable, parents and healthcare providers can implement some best practices to optimize healthy development. However, disabilities may still occur for reasons not always well understood. Close tracking of childhood development and progress remains essential, regardless of risk factors. Acting at the first sign of any issue provides a child with the greatest chance of reach their full potential.