What Are Developmental Delays?
Developmental delays are when children need more time to reach their developmental milestones. Every child’s journey is unique, and developmental delays can vary greatly. Some children may experience mild delays in specific areas, while others may face more significant challenges that impact multiple aspects of their growth.
Early identification and intervention are essential for helping children develop their skills for everyday life and future success.
How do I know if my child is delayed?
At South West Kids Clinic, we use typical developmental milestones as a guide to understand how your baby/infant is progressing. These milestones help us identify if your child is developing skills like rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking within the expected age range — or if they may need a little extra support. Every baby is different, but recognising delays early allows us to offer gentle, effective strategies to help them reach their full potential.
- Gross Motor Skills - Not rolling at 3–6 months, not sitting independently at 4-6 months, not crawling at 6-8 months or not walking at 12-14 months
- Fine Motor Skills - Not Reaching for and grasping toys at 6 months or transferring toys from one hand to the other at 6 months, not using fingers to grasp toys at 9 months, not using fingers to explore toys or feeding themselves at 12 months
- Communication Skills – Not turning toward sounds or making cooing sounds by 3 months, not babbling or responding to their name by 6 months, not using gestures (like pointing or waving) or babbling with different sounds by 9 months, not saying simple words like “mama” or “dada” or understanding simple instructions by 12 months, not saying at least a few clear words or attempting to imitate words by 15 months, and not saying 10 or more words or pointing to familiar objects or body parts when asked by 18 months.
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What to expect at South West Kids Clinic
- A clear understanding of what your baby is doing well
- Specific ways you can support them at home
- A step-by-step therapy plan if extra support is needed
