Developmental Red Flags
Signs and Symptoms of Developmental Delays.
In clinical terms, there are a few "absolute indicators," often referred to as "red flags," that identify the behavioral or developmental markers suggesting the need for further evaluation. For a parent, these "red flags" should serve as a catalyst prompting developmental screening to ensure that the child is on the right developmental path. If your child shows two or more of these signs, please ask your pediatric healthcare provider for an immediate evaluation. It is also highly recommended that whenever a parent suspects that there may be such concerns that you go through a Referral Process to ensure that your child gets the help he or she needs. Doctors used to (and some still do) take a "wait and see" approach, but today it is clear that early intervention is the key to the greatest possible outcomes for children with such issues.
If you have concerns that your child may be showing signs of Autism check out the Red Flags of Autism link.
- Doesn't seem to respond to loud noises
- Doesn't follow moving objects with eyes by 2 to 3 months
- Doesn't smile at the sound of your voice by 2 months
- Doesn't grasp and hold objects by 3 months
- Doesn't smile at people by 3 months
- Cannot support head well at 3 months
- Doesn't reach for and grasp toys by 3 to 4 months
- Doesn't bring objects to mouth by 4 months
- Doesn't push down with legs when feet are placed on a firm surface by 4 months
- Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
- Crosses eyes most of the time (occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first months)
- Seems very stiff, tight muscles
- Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
- Head still flops back when body is pulled to sitting position (by 5months still exhibits head lag)
- Shows no affection for the person who cares for them
- Doesn't seem to enjoy being around people
- One or both eyes consistently turn in or out
- Persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light
- Does not respond to sounds around them
- Has difficulty getting objects to mouth
- Does not turn head to locate sounds by 4 months
- Doesn't roll over (stomach to back) by 6 months
- Cannot sit with help by 6 months (not by themselves)
- Does not laugh or make squealing sounds by 5 months
- Does not actively reach for objects by 6 months
- Does not follow objects with both eyes
- Does not bear some weight on legs by 5 months
- Does not crawl
- Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)
- Cannot stand when supported
- Does not search for objects that are hidden (10-12 mos.)
- Says no single words ("mama" or "dada")
- Does not learn to use gestures such as waving or shaking head
- Does not sit steadily by 10 months
- Does not show interest in "peek-a-boo" or "patty cake" by 8 mos.
- Does not babble by 8 mos. ("dada," "baba," "mama")
- Cannot walk by 18 months
- Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on toes
- Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
- Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
- By 15 months does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
- Does not imitate actions or words by 24 mos.
- Does not follow simple one-step instructions by 24 mos.
- Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs
- Persistent drooling or very unclear speech
- Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks
- Difficulty manipulating small objects
- Inability to copy a circle by 3 years old
- Inability to communicate in short phrases
- No involvement in pretend play
- Failure to understand simple instructions
- Little interest in other children
- Extreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver
- Cannot jump in place
- Cannot ride a trike
- Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
- Has difficulty scribbling
- Cannot copy a circle
- Cannot stack 4 blocks
- Still clings or cries when parents leave him
- Shows no interest in interactive games
- Ignores other children
- Doesn't respond to people outside the family
- Doesn't engage in fantasy play
- Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet
- Lashes out without any self-control when angry or upset
- Doesn't use sentences of more than three words
- Doesn't use "me" or "you" appropriately
(Adapted from The Early Childhood Direction Center's Developmental Checklist)
