What are Infant Developmental Milestones and Are They Important?

What Happens If Your Child Has a Developmental Delay?

If your doctor notices that your child has a developmental delay, he or she will refer you to a specialist and they will help find services to help your child to get additional help.  In the United States, children are referred to a program called Early Intervention Services.  Early Intervention is designed to help children ages birth to 3 years old who have disabilities or developmental delays.  If your child is eligible to receive services from Early Childhood Intervention, the services will be provided in your child’s natural environment.  If your child is over the age of three, the local school district provides the same services as Early Intervention Services for children who have developmental delays or disabilities.

What Should I Look For to Determine If My Child Has or Develops a Developmental Delay?

Parents often worry about their children and often ask other parents what their child is doing, especially, if they have a baby around the same age.  Remember that milestones are just guidelines to help doctors and parents determine if a child has a developmental delay or not.  As I already mentioned, babies develop and grow at different rates.  If you compare two babies, you will find that they may not be achieving the same milestones at the same pace.  Don’t be alarmed if your child has one development delay in their age appropriate category, this is part of your child’s normal development.  A child who isn’t meeting several milestones in their age appropriate milestones, you should not panic or be alarmed; however, you should schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor and should discuss your concerns.

Did you ever worry about your child’s development or encounter developmental delays?