Developmental Milestones

Please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for an indepth view of milestones. All children develop at differing rates. Below are some signs of possible developmental delay that you should discuss with your pediatrician.

Possible Signs of Developmental Delay...

• By 3 months
  • Does not respond to loud sounds
  • Doesn't notice hands by two months
  • Doesn't smile at people by 3 months
  • Doesn't babble by 3-4 months
  • Cannot support head well by 3 months
  • Doesn't bring objects to mouth by 4 months
  • Doesn't grasp and hold objects by 3 months
  • Still has tonic neck reflex by 4-5 months
  • Doesn't follow moving objects by 2-3 months
  
  
• By 7 to 8 months
  • Doesn't babble
  • Doesn't bear some weight on legs
  • Doesn't respond to sounds or locate sounds around him/her
  • Doesn't roll over in either direction by 5 months
  • Shows no interest in games such as peek a boo by 8 months
  • Cannot sit with help by 6 months
  • Head still flops back when in sitting positon
  • Seems very stiff or very floppy, like a rag doll
  
  
• By 12 months
  • Does not crawl
  • Cannot stand when supported
  • Does not search for objects when hidden
  • Says no single words (such as "bye" or "dada")
  • Does not start to use gestures such as waving
  • Does not point to or reach for objects
  
  
• By 18 months to 2 years
  • Cannot walk by 18 months
  • Does not speak at least 15 words by eighteen months
  • Does not use two word sentences by age 2
  • Does not imitate actions or words often by age 2
  • Does not follow simple instructions by age 2
  • Cannot push a wheeled toy by age 2
  • Walks exclusively on toes or does not develop a mature heel toe pattern of walking after several months of walking
  
  
• By 3 to 4 years
  • Does not speak in sentences of 3 words or greater
  • Ignores other children
  • Does not respond to people outside of family
  • Cannot copy a circle
  • Doesn't engage in fantasy play
  • Cannot throw a ball overhand
  • Cannot jump
  • Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
  • Has trouble scribbling
  • Doesn't follow 1-2 step directions
  
  
• By 4 to 5 years
  • Shows little interest in playing with other children
  • Refuses to respond to people in general, or responds only superficially
  • Rarely uses pretend play
  • Doesn't engage in a variety of activities
  • Doesn't express a wide range of emotions
  • Can't differentiate between fantasy and reality
  • Seems unusually passive
  • Cannot understand two-part commands using prepositions ("Put the cup on the table"; "Get the ball under the couch.")
  • Can't correctly give his/her first and last name
  • Doesn't use plurals or past tense properly when speaking
  • Doesn't talk about his/her daily activities and experiences
  • Cannot build a tower of six to eight blocks
  • Seems uncomfortable holding a crayon
  • Has trouble taking off his/her clothing
  • Cannot brush his/her teeth efficiently
  • Cannot wash and dry his/her hands