Blog
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Early Intervention
As parents, watching your child grow and reach new milestones is an exciting journey, but it’s natural to wonder if your little one is developing at the right pace. Every child is unique, and development can vary, but sometimes a delay or difficulty in reaching certain milestones may indicate a need for extra support. Early intervention services are designed to provide assistance to children who may have developmental delays, helping them to reach their full potential. So, how can you know if your child may benefit from early intervention?
In this blog, we’ll discuss key developmental signs to look for and when it might be time to consider reaching out for support.
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are a set of skills or behaviors most children can do by a certain age. These milestones cover areas like:
- Communication (Speech & Language)
- Motor Skills (Crawling, Walking, Hand Movements)
- Social & Emotional Development
- Cognitive Abilities (Problem-solving & Learning)
While every child develops at their own pace, there are some signs that your child may benefit from early intervention if they are consistently behind in these areas.
Key Signs To Watch For
Here’s are some common signs that your child may be experiencing delays in their development:
- Communication Delays
- By 12 months: Your child isn’t babbling, using gestures like waving or responding to their name.
- By 18 months: They are not using simple words like “mama” or “dada”, or showing understanding of basic requests (e.g., “come here”).
- By 2 years: Your child isn’t combining two words to make simple sentences (e.g., “more juice”).
- Limited eye contact or difficulty engaging in social communication is also a sign to monitor.
- Gross and Fine Motor Delays:
- By 6 months: Your child struggles to hold their head up, roll over, or reach for objects.
- By 9-12 months: They are not sitting up independently, crawling, or pulling themselves to stand.
- By 18 months: Walking seems delayed, or your child is not able to use their hands to manipulate small objects (like picking up Cheerios).
- Social and Emotional Concerns:
- By 6-12 months: Your child doesn’t smile, laugh, or show interest in playing interactive games like peek-a-boo.
- By 18 months to 2 years: Your child seems uninterested in playing with other children or in mimicking adult behavior (e.g., pretending to cook with a toy stove).
- Difficulty calming down when upset or an inability to express emotions through facial expressions can also be areas of concern.
- Cognitive Delays:
- By 12-18 months: Your child isn’t interested in exploring their surroundings or doesn’t seem curious about new objects.
- By 2 years: They struggle to follow simple directions or solve basic problems (e.g., fitting shapes into a sorter).
- Behavioral Red Flags:
- Persistent issues with eating or sleeping routines.
- Excessive tantrums, especially if they seem unrelated to typical toddler frustrations.
- Sensory sensitivities, such as strong reactions to lights, sounds, or textures, may also indicate a need for support.
Why Early Intervention Matters
At About Play, we believe that early support leads to lifelong success. Our team of highly trained professionals works with families to create individualized intervention plans that fit naturally into your child’s daily routines. Whether it’s through play-based learning or working on specific skills, early intervention aims to empower children and their families to overcome challenges.
When to Seek Help
If you notice your child is behind in one or more of the areas mentioned, it’s important not to panic–but it’s equally important not to wait. Trust your instincts as a parent. If you feel something is off, reach out to professionals who can evaluate your child’s development. Early intervention evaluations are usually free or low-cost, and they can provide valuable insight into whether your child could benefit from services.
How to Get Started
If you’re in South Carolina and concerned about your child’s development, About Play is here to help. We provide early intervention services designed to help children reach their full potential. Contact us today to learn more about how early intervention can make a difference in your child’s life.
Recent Articles
Blog Categories
If you live in South Carolina and think your infant or child is experiencing developmental delays, we can help.
where do we offer early intervention services?
