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This is where learning begins in a child's life.

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Signs your child may not be developing properly

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Signs your child may not be developing properly

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These are the years between 1-3 years old.

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What Is a Developmental Delay in Young Children?

Developmental delay is when your child lags behind their peers in one or more areas of emotional, mental, or physical growth. If your child is delayed, early treatment is the best way to help them make progress or even to catch up.

There are many different types of developmental delays in infants and young children. They include problems with:

Language or speech

Movement -- motor skills

Social and emotional skills

Thinking -- cognitive skills

Sometimes, a significant delay occurs in two or more of these areas. When that happens, it's called "global developmental delay." It refers to infants and preschoolers up to age 5 who show delays lasting at least 6 months.

Developmental delay is different from developmental disabilities, which include such conditions as cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and autism spectrum disorder and which usually last for life.

Developmental Delay Causes and Risk Factors

Little children learn to crawl, talk, or use the toilet at different speeds. But sometimes a child may reach those milestones much later than other kids. There are many reasons for such delays, including:

Here are some warning signs for different types of delays that may show up from infancy to age 2.

Language and Speech Developmental Delays

These are not unusual delays in toddlers. Language and speech problems are the most common type of developmental delays. Speech refers to verbal expression, including the way words are formed. Language is a broader system of expressing and receiving information, such as being able to understand gestures.

Possible causes. A variety of problems may cause language and speech delays, including:

Exposure to more than one language -- which can cause mild delays in toddlers but not delays by the time they reach school age

A learning disability

Child abuse or neglect

A problem with the muscles controlling speech -- a disorder called dysarthria

Hearing loss, which may occur in children who have severe middle ear infections or occur as a result of certain medications, trauma, or genetic disorders

Autism spectrum disorders -- a group of neurological disorders that may involve impaired communication as well as impaired social interaction and cognitive skills

No cause can be found

Continued

Types of treatment. If you or your child's doctor suspects a speech delay, a referral will be placed for an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. This specialist may test your child's hearing, assess your child's receptive and expressive language, and then plan for speech therapy sessions with your child. If the delay is mild, the specialist or doctor may suggest that you:

Communicate more with your child -- talk, sing, and encourage repetition.

Read daily to your child.

Reinforce speech and language throughout the day.

Get treatment for middle ear infections.

Warning signs of speech or language delays. Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following signs at the age that's indicated. In addition, watch for any loss of skills that have already been learned.

By 3 to 4 months, contact the doctor if your child:

By 7 months, contact the doctor if your child:

Does not respond to sounds

By 1 year, contact the doctor if your child does not:

Use any single words (like "mama")

Understand words like "bye-bye" or "no"

By 2 years, contact the doctor if your child:

Vision Developmental Delays

Until 6 months, a newborn's vision is normally blurry. Then it improves as the child begins to coordinate sight in both eyes. But sometimes, this does not happen or other vision problems show up.

Possible causes of vision delays. Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, are common in children. Other eye problems include:

Amblyopia (lazy eye), poor vision in one eye that may also appear to turn outward

Infantile cataracts -- a clouding of the eye's lens -- or another inherited problem (these problems are rare)

Retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease that sometimes affects premature infants

Strabismus -- also called cross eyes -- eyes that turn in, out, up, or down

Continued

Types of treatment for vision delays. Early treatment can help correct many vision problems. Depending on the eye problem your child has, they may need:

Warning signs of vision problems. Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following signs at the age that's indicated. In addition, watch for any loss of skills that have already been learned.

By 3 months, contact the doctor if your child:

Does not follow moving objects with their eyes

Does not notice hands (by 2 months)

Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

Crosses eyes most of the time

By 6 months, contact the doctor if your child:

If your child's doctor notes any problems, the doctor may refer your child to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation.

Motor Skill Developmental Delays in Children

Motor skill developmental delays may be related to problems with gross motor skills, such as crawling or walking, or fine motor skills, such as using fingers to grasp a spoon.

Possible causes of motor skill delays. Children who are born prematurely may not develop muscles at the same rate as other children.

Other possible causes of motor delays include:

Ataxia, a defect that impairs muscle coordination

Cerebral palsy, a condition caused by brain damage before birth

Cognitive delays

Myopathy, a disease of the muscles

Problems with vision

Spina bifida, a genetic condition causing partial or total paralysis of the lower part of the body

Types of treatment for motor skill delays. Your child's doctor may suggest taking certain steps at home to encourage more physical activity. Your child may also need physical therapy for gross motor delays. Certain types of physical or occupational therapy may help with fine motor problems or with sensory processing disorder, which happens when the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.

Continued

Warning signs of motor skill delays. Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following signs at the age that's indicated. In addition, watch for any loss of skills that have already been learned.

By 3 to 4 months, contact the doctor if your child does not:

Reach for, grasp, or hold objects

Support their head well

Bring objects to their mouth (by 4 months)

Push down with legs when their feet are placed on a firm surface (by 4 months)

By 7 months, contact the doctor if your child:

Has stiff and tight or very floppy muscles

Flops their head when pulled into a sitting position

Reaches with one hand only or does not actively reach for objects

Has trouble getting objects to their mouth

Doesn't roll over in either direction (by 5 months)

Cannot sit up without help (by 6 months)

Does not bear weight on their legs when you pull them up to a standing position

By 1 year, contact the doctor if your child:

By 2 years, contact the doctor if your child:

Social and Emotional Developmental Delays in Children

Children may have problems interacting with adults or other children, called social and/or emotional developmental delays. Usually these problems show up before a child begins school.

Possible causes. Some causes of social and emotional delays include:

Neglect from early institutionalization or parental neglect

Ineffective parenting or attachment problems

Cognitive delays

An unknown cause

Another common cause of social and emotional developmental delays falls under the umbrella diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This was previously referred to as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), autism, Asperger's, and other names. ASD includes disorders that can cause a child to have a hard time communicating, have repetitive behaviors, and have language problems.

Types of treatment. There is no known cure for these conditions. But treatment may include:

Special types of behavioral and skill-oriented therapy

Medication that may help with some problematic behaviors

Continued

As with most types of delays, early treatment can make a big difference in the progress your child makes. Depending upon the diagnosis, treatment may also include play therapy or steps to aid attachment between parent and child.

Warning signs of social or emotional delays. Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following signs at the age that's indicated. In addition, watch for any loss of skills that have already been learned.

By 3 months, contact the doctor if your child does not:

Smile at people

Pay attention to new faces, or seems frightened by them

By 7 months, contact the doctor if your child:

Refuses to cuddle

Shows no affection for parents or caregivers

Shows no enjoyment around people

Cannot be comforted at night (after 5 months)

Does not smile without prompting (by 5 months)

Does not laugh or squeal (by 6 months)

Shows no interest in games of peek-a-boo (by 8 months)

By 1 year, contact the doctor if your child shows no:

Back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or facial expressions (at 9 months)

Back-and-forth gestures, such as waving, reaching, or pointing

Cognitive Developmental Delays in Children

Problems with thinking, or cognitive delays, may be due to one or more of these reasons:

Genetic defects

Significant medical problems before birth

Exposure to something harmful in the environment, such as a toxin

Neglect

Possible causes. Causes of cognitive delays include:

A wide range of different learning disabilities

Exposure to alcohol or toxins before birth or afterward, including lead poisoning

Institutionalization or neglect during infancy or early childhood

Down syndrome and other genetic disorders

Autism spectrum disorder

Severe newborn medical problems

No known cause

Types of treatment for cognitive delays. As with most types of developmental delays, early treatment can make a big difference in the progress your child makes. Educational intervention can help your child develop specific cognitive skills. Educators and therapists may use play therapy or behavioral therapy and may also recommend specific steps you can take at home to help your child.

Continued

Warning signs of cognitive delays. Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following signs at the age that's indicated. In addition, watch for any loss of skills that have already been learned.

By 1 year, contact the doctor if your child does not:

By 2 years, contact the doctor if your child does not:

What to Do if You Suspect a Developmental Delay in Your Child

Remember: There is a wide range of normal development in children. Most developmental delays in children are not serious, and children eventually catch up. Even children who do have serious delays can make big improvements when treatment begins as early as possible.

The key is to intervene early. The federal Individuals With Disabilities Act entitles eligible infants and toddlers to services such as speech or physical therapy, social services, and dietary guidance. And children until age 21 can receive special public education tailored for their developmental delays.

Sources

SOURCES:

CDC: "Developmental Screening," "Important Milestones," "Facts About Developmental Disabilities."

Neurology: "Practice parameter: Evaluation of the child with global developmental delay; Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and The Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society."

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare: "Identifying Patterns of Developmental Delays Can Help Diagnose Neurodevelopmental Disorders."

Nemours Foundation: "Delayed Speech or Language Development," "Your Child's Vision."

First Signs: "Red Flags."

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): "NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page."

American Academy of Pediatrics: "Sensory Integration Therapies for Children With Developmental and Behavioral Disorders."

Frontiers in Psychology: "'Developmental Delay' Reconsidered: The Critical Role of Age-Dependent, Co-variant Development."

Cerebral Palsy Alliance (Australia): "Global development delay."

Healthychildren.org: "Assessing Developmental Delays," "What is Early Intervention?"

U.S. Department of Education: "IDEA: Individuals With Disabilities Education Act."

SPD Foundation: "About SPD."

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Developmental delay is when your child lags behind their peers in one or more areas of emotional, mental, or physical growth. If your child is delayed, early treatment is the best way to help them make progress or even to catch up. There are many different types of developmental delays in infants and young children.

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Do you wonder if your little one is eating enough, sleeping enough, and on track for all those important milestones? Check out these easy-to-spot signs that prove Baby is both happy and healthy.

Even if you fear you don't know the first thing about newborns, after a few weeks with your own little darling, you start to hear a difference between his hungry and tired cries. You know how he prefers to be rocked and burped. You grow more confident about your parenting skills. If it weren't for the exhaustion and the hormonal overload, you'd feel like you have everything under control.

But all it takes is a small, paranoid thought - Is my baby eating enough? Is all this crying unusual? - and you can easily fall into a spiral of anxious concern. You seek out friends and ask, "Does he look okay to you?" They say yes, but still, you can't help but worry.

So you Google a million things and read comforting, vague phrases: "Healthy babies exhibit a wide range of behaviors, appearances, and temperaments."

Question is, how do you know that your baby is happy and developing normally? To help reassure you, we've assembled a list of indicators to watch for that prove an infant is doing just fine.

#1 Baby calms at your touch and the sound of your voice

What it proves: You've got a good relationship

Newborns cry. A lot. And no, just talking to your baby will probably not turn off the tears. Your voice was the soundtrack to her time in the womb, though, so it should be something that generally draws her attention.

"A baby is used to being in close quarters, and your voice was a big part of that experience," says Jennifer Shu, M.D., pediatrician and coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn. "After they're born, hearing your voice, being wrapped and carried, and feeling your body heat all mimic that peaceful time."

When your child is calmed by your presence, that's her first step in bonding with you and a clear sign that she's developing emotionally.

#2 You're changing 8-10 wet diapers a day and she's gaining weight

"My baby was born five weeks before her due date and weighed only 5 pounds," says Sara Porth, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts. "I was always worried about her weigh-ins. I didn't relax about her eating until she started making significant gains about ten days after birth."

It's important to keep your well-baby visits so the pediatrician can assess whether your baby is growing. In between trips to the doctor, wet diapers are the best sign he's drinking well. Trust these indicators rather than obsessing over how much he consumes at each meal. Babies don't eat the same amount every day, or even every feeding. "There are growth spurts and slowdowns," Dr. Shu says. The important thing is that weight increases over time.

#3 Baby is quiet and attentive at least a few times each day

What it proves: She's starting to learn

Those first blurry weeks will be marked by feedings (about every 2 hours) and sleep (about 16 hours a day, but only a few hours in a row). In between all that, there's crying - and very little else. It's not until your baby begins gaining control of her eye muscles and focusing on a target (you most of all) that you'll get a sense of what a little sponge you have on your hands.

When infants are quiet and alert, they're taking note of everything around them and processing all kinds of new information. "Babies begin having more awake time when they're about 1 month old," Dr. Shu says. "That's when they can briefly settle down and soak in more visual cues."

#4 Baby turns toward new sounds and listens

What it proves: Her hearing is developing and her brain is discerning sounds

Babies are able to hear from birth, but it takes a few weeks for them to be able to filter out the white noise of daily existence outside the womb. The idea that some sounds are more interesting than others (the dull roar of the air conditioner is not as important as a big sister's sudden shrieks of laughter) develops over time. The sound of music, especially, will eventually get a baby's attention, whether it's coming from a toy or your stereo.

Once you see your baby react to sound by looking for the source, you'll know his ears are healthy and he's growing curious about what he's hearing.

#5 She looks at patterns, colors, and movement

What it proves: Her eyesight is sharpening and brain is developing

You wouldn't think that the ability to space out while staring at a ceiling fan would be a sign of progress, but it is. Babies are born with eyesight that's about 20/100, and they can see between 8 and 12 inches away - about the distance between your baby's face and yours when you're feeding her.

By 1 month, she can see up to 18 inches away. And by 2 months, most babies start tracking patterns, bright colors, and objects that spin, such as a mobile or fan. They don't have perfect color vision or good depth perception, which is why contrasting colors tend to get their attention.

#6 She makes eye contact, smiles and flirts with people

What It Proves: Your baby is becoming a social -- and happy - creature

The first moment of eye contact with your newborn usually comes when he's a month old, the first smile by about 2 months, cooing at 3 months, and laughing by 4 months - and none of these milestones comes a moment too soon.

"I've been craving any sort of interaction I can get with Zachary," says Sally Lee, of New York City, whose son is 2 months old. "I can't imagine that he'll one day be sitting up and actually talking to me."

All of these interactions show that your baby is connecting with you and becoming more aware of his surroundings. On some level, he understands that people interact with him more when he behaves in a socially engaging manner. By the time a baby is about 5 months, he almost has to smile when someone smiles at him, as if it's a reflex.

All of these behaviors are important indicators of early language development. "Babies use body language, including eye contact and facial expressions, long before they can speak," Dr. Shu says. "It's a precursor to communicating with words." When your child coos and babbles, he's testing out his vocal cords, your little baby really will eventually start chatting away.

#7 She cries a little less and sleeps more regularly

What It Proves: Her nervous system is maturing

Aah. Do you feel that barely perceptible shift in your baby's routines? As in, there is a glimmer of a routine? You've made it out of the newborn juggernaut!

That's a result of his nervous system learning the ropes. Look for the emergence of several naps a day and stretches of four or more hours between feedings at night. Some babies get there fast; others won't till they're 4 months or so. If your baby's older than that and still eating and sleeping at unpredictable times, try making his days more tightly scheduled. Then it's your turn to find a brand-new mom and reassure her: ?Your baby is doing great!?

#8 Baby can support her own body weight

What It Proves: Those mini muscles are getting stronger

Lots of babies hold their head up briefly - so briefly! - by 1 month. By the time they're 3 months old, they're typically doing so more regularly and with greater skill. If your baby can hold her head up or shift around in your arms, you know she's flexing her growing muscles.

To help her along, make sure she's spending quality time outside the carrier or car seat. Tummy time on the floor (most babies' version of an exercise class) can especially help speed up the development of different muscles, including ones that allow her to roll or sit unassisted.

"We see that babies who haven't had a chance to exercise with tummy time tend to roll, sit, and crawl later than the norm," Dr. Shu says.

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Do you wonder if your little one is eating enough, sleeping enough, and on track for all those important milestones? Check out these easy-to-spot signs that prove Baby is both happy and healthy. Even if you fear you don't know the first thing about newborns, after a few weeks with your own little darling, you start to hear a difference between his hungry and tired cries.

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What is developmental delay?
Developmental Delay is when your child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times. It is an ongoing major or minor delay in the process of development. If your child is temporarily lagging behind, that is not called developmental delay. Delay can occur in one or many areas-for example, gross or fine motor, language, social, or thinking skills.

Developmental Delay is most often a diagnosis made by a doctor based on strict guidelines. Usually, though, the parent is the first to notice that their child is not progressing at the same rate as other children the same age. If you think your child may be "slow," or "seems behind," talk with your child's doctor about it. In some cases, your pediatrician might pick up a delay during an office visit. It will probably take several visits and possibly a referral to a developmental specialist to be sure that the delay is not just a temporary lag. Your child's doctor may use a set of screening tools during regular well-child visits.

The first three years of a child's life are an amazing time of development...

...and what happens during those years stays with a child for a lifetime. That's why it's so important to watch for signs of delays in development, and to get help if you suspect problems. The sooner a delayed child gets early intervention, the better their progress will be.
What causes developmental delay?
Developmental delay can have many different causes, such as genetic causes (like Down syndrome), or complications of pregnancy and birth (like prematurity or infections). Often, however, the specific cause is unknown. Some causes can be easily reversed if caught early enough, such as hearing loss from chronic ear infections, or lead poisoning.

What should I do if I suspect my child has developmental delay?
If you think your child may be delayed, you should take them to their primary care provider, or to a developmental and behavioral pediatrician or pediatric neurologist. An alternative to seeing a specialist is to work through your local school system (see below). If your child seems to be losing ground-in other words, starts to not be able to do things they could do in the past-you should have them seen right away. If your child is developmentally delayed, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin connecting to developmental services and a medical plan if needed-and the better your child's progress will be.

If you have concerns, act early.

What can the school system do for my child?
Ask your school system in writing for an evaluation of your child, even if your child is a baby, toddler or preschooler. They are required to provide it, at no cost to you. The purpose of an evaluation is to find out why your child is not meeting their developmental milestones or not doing well in school. A team of professionals will work with you to evaluate your child. If they do not find a problem, you can ask the school system to pay for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). There are strict rules about this, so you may not get it. You can also have your child tested again privately, and pay for it yourself. But check with your school district first to make sure they will accept the private test results. By law, the school system must consider the results of the second evaluation when deciding if your child can get special services.

What is early intervention?
Every state has an early intervention program that you will want to get your child into right away. If you live in Michigan, your doctor may refer you to the Early On Program in your local school district. (Outside Michigan, you can find your state's early intervention services through the NICHCY website.) Early On (and all states' early intervention programs) offer many different services and will help set up an individualized program for your family. It is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

It is most important to start a care plan as soon as you can, and make sure it includes lots of one-on-one interaction with your child.

What is special education?
Special education means "educational programming designed specifically for the individual." It can really help your child do better in school. If your school-aged child qualifies for special education, they will have an Individualized Education Plan ( IEP) designed just for them.

What happens as my child grows up and eventually becomes an adult?
Transition planning is planning to get your child ready to lead a rewarding life as an adult. As your child gets closer to adulthood, they will need an IEP transition plan. Transition planning begins at age 14. It is part of the IEP every year after that. At age 16, planning will begin for how your child will transition from school into the community. The goal is for your child to become as independent as possible. Your child should take part in the planning, because their input will help make the plan more successful. For a thorough discussion (37 pages when printed) of the transition plan, see Transition Services in the IEP, from NICHCY.
What do I need to know about the laws that have to do with early intervention and special education? What are our rights? What are some recommended books?

Teaching the Young Child with Motor Delays: A Guide for Parents and Professionals , by Marci Swanson and Susan Harris. This book is a useful guide in choosing development tasks to work on with your delayed child. It contains a lot of detail on breaking down large developmental goals into small, attainable steps. There is a large section devoted to outlining "objectives", giving suggestions on how to attain them, and examples of rewards. Uses clear and detailed examples.

When Your Child Has a Disability: The Complete Sourcebook of Daily and Medical Care , Revised Edition, by Mark Batshaw. A useful book to read and keep as a reference. Covers a wide range of medical and educational issues, as well as daily and long-term care requirements of specific disabilities. Discusses parent concerns like behavior, medication, and potential complications. Also addresses issues such as prematurity, early intervention, legal rights, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, genetic syndromes, and changes in health.

What are some other resources for information and support?
Related topics on YourChild:
Spanish Language Resources:

NICHCY (National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities) publishes free, fact-filled newsletters, arranges workshops and speakers, and advises parents on the laws entitling children with disabilities to special education and other services. They also offer Spanish language resources. Their state resource sheets have listings of government programs, disability organizations, and more. Call 1-800-695-0285.

Early On Michigan is the state of Michigan's early intervention service. Call 1-800-EARLY-ON. If you live outside Michigan, NICHCY can help you find your own state's early intervention service.

Parent Centers provide training and information to parents of children with disabilities-babies through young adults. This assistance helps parents better meet the educational needs of their children with disabilities. Find the Parent Training and Information Center near you.

The CDC has information on child development, developmental screening and early intervention. And remember: If you have concerns, act early.

Zero to Three is the nation's leading resource on the first three years of life, with a mission to strengthen and support families, practitioners and communities to promote the healthy development of babies and toddlers.

CAUSE (Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education), based in Michigan, provides free services to families of children with special needs and the professionals who work with them. Find out more about CAUSE in English, Spanish or Arabic. CAUSE offers free workshops and information to anyone who needs assistance. Call 1-800-221-9105.

The Pathways Awareness Foundation offers resources for parents of children with physical movement developmental delays. Find out where to turn when you need more answers, and get information (available in multiple languages) that will help if you're concerned about your baby.

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development strives to better understand human development, prevent and solve developmental problems, and enable persons with developmental disabilities to lead fuller lives in their communities.

The ARC is a national organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. Call 1-703-620-3660.

NAPSEC (National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children) provides referrals for private special education programs. Call 1-202-408-3338.

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. Call 1-800-424-3688.

Best Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing chances for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Call 1-800-89-BUDDY.

Written and compiled by Kyla Boyse, RN. Reviewed by Layla Mohammed, MD.
Updated February 2010
U-M Health System Related Sites: U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Department of Psychiatry
U-M Pediatrics

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What is developmental delay? Developmental Delay is when your child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times. It is an ongoing major or minor delay in the process of development. If your child is temporarily lagging behind, that is not called developmental delay.

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Teachers are the first line of defense in recognizing and helping preschool students manage learning disabilities. Here's what you should be looking for in six critical areas of development.

Red flag on white background

Most children who have ADHD are not diagnosed until the elementary school grades. With younger children, it is harder to distinguish normal rambunctious, inattentive, and uninhibited behavior from behavior that is abnormal and symptomatic of ADHD.

Early identification of ADHD or any related developmental problems, and early intervention, can make a huge, positive difference in the life of a child and his family. They can significantly minimize the social, behavioral, or learning difficulties the child experiences as a result of the disorder, and prevent a lot of struggle down the road.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers are in the best position to catch early signs and symptoms of a developmental delay or disability, and to identify children who are at risk for struggles in learning and school. Teachers need to be aware of symptoms - and share their observations and concerns with parents and other school specialists (such as the school's multi-disciplinary team).

A child with ADHD may have other developmental weaknesses or delays in some areas - speech-language, motor skills, or academic readiness, shown by difficulty in learning and remembering ABCs, numbers, shapes, and letter-sound associations. It is important to be aware that children with ADHD often have co-existing learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. Some warnings of LD in preschool and kindergarten include the following:

Language

1. Slow development in speaking words or sentences ("late talkers")

2. Pronunciation problems

3. Difficulty learning new words; slow vocabulary growth

4. Difficulty finding the right word to use when speaking

5. Difficulty understanding and following simple (one-step) directions

6. Difficulty understanding questions

7. Difficulty recognizing or learning rhyming words

8. Lack of interest in storytelling

9. Immature grammar (syntax)

[Self-Test: Could My Child Have a Learning Disability?]
Emergent Literacy Skills

1. Slow speed in naming objects and colors

2. Limited phonological awareness (rhyming and syllable blending)

3. Difficulty understanding that written language is composed of phonemes (individual sounds) and letters that make up syllables and words

4. Minimal interest in print and limited print awareness

5. Difficulty recognizing and learning the letters of the alphabet

6. Difficulty learning the connection between letters and sounds

Cognition

1. Trouble memorizing the alphabet or days of the week

2. Poor memory for what should be routine (everyday procedures)

3. Difficulty with cause and effect, sequencing, and counting

4. Difficulty with basic concepts, such as size, shape, and color

Motor Skills

1. Clumsiness

2. Poor balance

3. Difficulty with fine motor skills and manipulating small objects (stringing beads, tying shoes, buttoning)

4. Awkwardness with running, jumping, or climbing (delayed gross motor skills)

5. Difficulty with or avoidance of drawing, coloring, tracing, or copying

Social Behavior

1. Trouble interacting with others, plays alone

2. Easily frustrated

3. Hard to manage, temper tantrums

4. Has difficulty following directions

[Half of All Kids with ADHD Have a Learning Disability or Related Condition]
Attention and Behavior

1. Distractibility and inattention

2. Impulsivity

3. Hyperactivity

4. Difficulty changing activities or handling disruptions to routines.

Excerpted and adapted from: RIEF, SANDRA (2016) How to Reach and Teach Children and Teens with ADD/ADHD, Third Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass (Wiley).
Updated on September 7, 2020

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Heads Up, Teachers: Red Flags for Possible LD

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Teachers are the first line of defense in recognizing and helping preschool students manage learning disabilities. Here's what you should be looking for in six critical areas of development. Most children who have ADHD are not diagnosed until the elementary school grades.