If your asking this question chances are your mommy instinct is correct. The best intervention for little ones is early intervention. A simple screening or full evaluation is the only way to know for sure. Acting early on developmental concerns can make a real difference for your child and you! If you’re concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait. You know your child best.
Questions to think about....
Birth - 1 year
Does your child respond to you when you call them?
Does your child show interest in you and others?
Does your child make eye contact with you?
Does your child smile or play with others?
Does your child imitate movements/gestures/sounds?
Does your child babble?
1-2 years
Does your child understand what others say?
Does your child have less than 20 words?
Is your child putting 2 words together to comment or ask questions?
Does your child follow 1-step directions?
2-3 years
Is your child able to follow 2-3 step directions?
Is your child able to answer what, who, and where questions?
Is your child using 3-4 word phrases and sentences to communicate?
Does your child play with and talk to other children?
Does your child use the sounds k, g, f, t, d, and n in words?
Why Early Intervention is Important Intervention is likely to be more effective when it is provided earlier in life rather than later. “If it’s autism, waiting for a child to ‘catch up on his own’ just won’t work. Acting early can help a child communicate, play, and learn from the world now and for the future. It can also prevent frustration—so common in children with communication difficulties—from turning into more difficult behaviors.” Pennsylvania clinical psychologist
The connections in a baby’s brain are most adaptable in the first three years of life. These connections, also called neural circuits, are the foundation for learning, behavior, and health. Over time, these connections become harder to change.
“The earlier developmental delays are detected and intervention begins, the greater the chance a young child has of achieving his or her best potential.” Georgia pediatrician
Intervention works!
Early intervention services can change a child’s developmental path and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
“Acting early gives your child a chance to receive the appropriate therapy, giving him or her the best chance for a good outcome in the future. I believe that early intervention is the reason my high-functioning son is now able to blend in with his peers and attend kindergarten in a regular classroom with no supports.” Kansas mom
Help your child, help your family! Families benefit from early intervention by being able to better meet their children’s needs from an early age and throughout their lives.
“Action replaced fear and empowered me with the knowledge to help my son. He has overcome most of his symptoms and is headed to college next year.” Florida mom
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/whyActEarly.html
The Importance of Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families pdf icon[1.19 MB, 2 Pages]external icon Accessed February 26, 2015.
Yes! Listen to your Mama Gut. When you know, you know! I know at 15 months my son needed speech therapy. People thought I was nuts, but I knew!
For me, a big warning sign was his expressive language plateaued. At a time where most kids were having word explosions, Mikey just stopped at his 4 words. At 16 months- 4 words. At 17 months -4 words. At 18 months— 4 words and an evaluation!
There is no harm on screening and assessing at a young age!