The following may be signs of developmental delay. There is a wide range of typical development. However, follow up with a pediatrician if your child shows signs of delays.

Delays in gross motor or sensory skills may be caused by a variety of neurological or orthopedic problems. Remember, though, that most delays are not serious. Most children eventually catch up. Even children with serious delays can make big improvements when treatment begins as early possible. Delays may be partly addressed by encouraging greater physical activity and exposure to various environments. Treatment may include physical therapy or occupational therapy.

Birth to Three Months

• Limbs and trunk feel floppy and excessively loose
• Arms and legs are stiff when moved during dressing and changing
• Moves arms and legs in only a limited way
• Is unable to maintain a position on the stomach

Three to Six Months

• Limbs and trunk feel floppy and excessively loose
• Arms and legs are stiff when moved during dressing and changing
• Moves arms and legs in only a limited way
• Has trouble rolling from back to stomach and stomach to back
• Cannot sit with support
• Has continued dominance of involuntary reflex movements
• Does not push down legs when feet are placed on a surface
• Has trouble soothing self or maintaining a calm state
• Has trouble being comforted when held

Six to Twelve Months

• By 7 months:
• Has weakness on one side when moving; for example, pulls on one side only when crawling or walking along furniture
• Has stiff, tight, or floppy muscles
• Does not sit without support

By 11–12 months:

• Does not crawl on belly or progress to hands and knees
• Does not bring objects to mouth often
• Does not bear weight on legs with supported standing or through arms with crawling
• Prefers one position only such as only sitting or standing
• Has trouble transitioning to solid foods
• Has trouble with new objects or experiences

Twelve to Eighteen Months

• Does not crawl, stand, or walk
• Lacks interest in exploring the environment through movement
• Uses one hand or leg much more than the other
• Has trouble progressing with solid textures, biting, and chewing

Eighteen to Twenty-four Months
By 18 months:

• Does not walk
• Has hypersensitivity to sounds, different textures, or movement

By 24 months:

• Walks on toes consistently or has trouble achieving a heel-to-toe walking pattern
• Has trouble pushing wheeled toys
• Appears overly irritable

Two to Three Years

• Walks clumsily, often losing balance
• Throws a ball with difficulty
• Jumps with difficulty
• Loses balance often when running
• Fixated on activities like swinging, jumping, climbing, pushing, or biting to the exclusion of other activities
• Tends to push too hard; has trouble with grading his force
• Has little interest in interactive games

Three to Five Years

• Does not jump
• Does not ride a tricycle
• Throws with difficulty
• Does not engage in a variety of activities
• Has trouble or protests a lot with dressing, feeding, and toileting

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