Tracking your child’s milestones is a huge and rewarding part of being a parent! But if your child doesn’t meet a milestone by the age they’re “supposed to”, it can be concerning. Especially when your friends or family members are telling you all about the amazing things their child is doing that yours is not yet. Remember not to compare your child to other children. Each child develops different skills at different rates. And it’s important to take your child to all their well child visits. These visits are crucial for tracking their development and voicing any concerns you may have about your child’s development to their pediatric provider.
Well Child Visit
Each well child visit should include surveys that ask specific questions about your child’s development and behavior, especially at certain intervals like 9, 18, 30, and 48 months. These are typically parent-completed before the appointment via our pre-visit registration or in office during triage.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has an online tool to help you learn more about physical development and possible delays which can help you discuss these concerns with your pediatrician.
Formal Screenings
If there are concerns about your child’s development, a formal developmental screening should also be completed. Your pediatrician can help guide you on when these screenings are needed and initiate a referral to a specialist to have them done. These screenings can look at all areas of your child’s development including language/communication, problem-solving, social-emotional, and fine and gross motor skills.
Screening Tools
Some common screening tools used to help identify children with risks for developmental delays and/or autism include:
- Ages and Stages questionnaire
- Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddleres
- Others
If these periodic evaluations are normal, you can rest knowing that your child is developing appropriately!
Identifying a Problem
If a problem is identified, your child will likely be referred to early intervention first. This program is provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is available in every state!
Depending on the specific problem, your pediatric provider may also refer your child to a developmental-behavioral pediatric specialist who can provide developmental and medical evaluations and follow your child’s development closely.
Teaching Your Child
You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Whether you’re trying or not, you are constantly teaching your child as they watch your every move and imitate your words, gestures, and actions. In return, they are teaching you too! You become a more responsive parent as they grow. You may even learn new things as they teach you all the facts, stories, music, and perspectives they’re learning that you may have never encountered without them.