Key Signs of Delay

5 Key Warning Signs of Developmental Delays:

The following warning signs are about movement in your babies system. A baby, or anyone for that matter, only learns what it is exposed to. They do not have a milestone calendar in their heads leading them through development.

1. Lack of a Twist through their body– Development will be hindered if a child cannot twist their body from their head to their feet. Rolling over is a perfect example of this. Simply take a set of keys and move them around
2. Lack of Balance - in Sitting to Standing – are you trying to prop your baby and they just kind of ‘roll’ or fall back down. Sitting up seems harder than usual and
3. Lack of Extension – When an infant wants to be picked up and their hands raise up to meet you. When they’re crawling and the reach far out to grab something – this is extension. When a child needs things brought to him. When you go to pick up a baby and right when they lift their arms past the height of the shoulder – they slouch and are very ‘heavy’ to pick up. These are small warning signs that the skeletal system is not doing it’s proper job. This leads us to the next warning sign.
4. Slouch - Babies don't Slouch. It’s that simple. A baby who doesn’t sit up can’t work its body properly and can’t work the room. This adds to the last delay.
5. Lack of Sophisticated Peripheral Vision – a child is curious and ‘works the room’ or you find a parent saying, “He doesn’t miss a trick.” When all of the above are starting to develop in a child’s nervous system, he can’t or won’t use his side vision.

What parents should also look for that their child may be at risk for a potential problem:

1. Non-responsive - A healthy child starts to look if you say 'Where's Daddy? Where's the ball?" Suddenly you find yourself repeating it or saying it louder. Needing to touch or prompt your child to get their attention.

2. Staring - Babies and toddlers work the room. You don't loose a child into a good TV show until they're a few years older. If they seem like they're zoning out or loosing track of what they are doing or obsessing over one item for a length of time.

3. Sensory & Touch - Babies and toddlers like to explore there environment. If they once enjoyed food & getting messy now the suddenly have fear of smells, messes, touch and/or sounds.

4. Fear - Does your child suddenly have fears? Does the child suddenly cling to a parent or have separation anxiety? Lost a sense of calm or peace that they previously had?

5. Slouching - babies and toddlers with a healthy nervous system don't slouch. Your child might suddenly seem heavy to pick up or carry around. They're not 'laid back' or easy going.