When to Worry About Delayed Development

It’s important to remember that every child grows at their own pace and will reach different milestones at different times.  There are, however, guidelines that you can follow to make sure that your child is developing normally and that you’re aware of any signs of developmental problems.

Some things will indicate more serious problems than others, but you should see a doctor, have your child examined, and ask about treatment as soon as you think something might be wrong.  The major red flags to watch out for as your child grows are delays in areas such as:

• Language or speech
• Vision
• Movement – motor skills
• Social and emotional skills
• Thinking – cognitive skills

Some children may experience delays in just one of these areas while others may exhibit delays in a combination of them or all of them.  The exact cause of any of these can often be hard to determine.

If there is nothing severe happening, determining if there is a delay anywhere depends a lot on your child and where the delay may be showing up.  In general, you should just keep an eye on what children a similar age to your own children are doing and be aware if he or she is keeping up with them or not.

What Causes Developmental Delays?

A developmental delay in a child can be caused by complications during the pregnancy, labor, or birth process that somehow injure the baby.

Some things can be helped and reversed if caught early.  Other things, unfortunately, maybe irreversible and permanent.  Some, also, will be more severe than others.

When Should I Worry About Developmental Delays?

When your child is not reaching certain normal milestones by the time they should, such as sitting, speaking, walking, or eating without help, you should take them to see their pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist.  It may involve several visits and tests to determine if there is a problem occurring and if it’s possible to determine why.

The sooner you have your child checked and get a diagnosis, the sooner you and your doctor will be able to make a plan to get the help and/or assistance that your child needs to do better.

Some Delays Are Caused By Birth Injuries

Unfortunately, some developmental delays and conditions in young children are caused by birth injuries.  Medical professionals involved with the mother from pregnancy, through labor, and all the way through the birth process may make a mistake that results in later developmental problems.  One of the more severe problems in children who have suffered birth injuries is cerebral palsy.

If you suspect that your child is suffering any type of developmental delay because of errors made by a medical professional that cared for you during pregnancy, labor, and birth, you may be able to seek compensation to help you deal with the treatment and assistance that your child may need.

Speak With A Qualified Rhode Island Birth Injury Attorney

At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd, our Providence, RI birth injury attorneys represent injured babies and their families.  Call us today at (401) 273-8330 or fill out our confidential contact form for a free consultation and review of your case.  Someone at our law office will be there to answer your questions.  We are here to help.