If you've landed here because something about your child's development has been quietly worrying you, this guide is written for you.
Important Context: A concern or a question about development is not a diagnosis. Many of the signs listed here can appear in typically developing children. What matters is pattern, persistence, and professional evaluation — not any single behavior in isolation.
Early Social Communication Signs (Raising Concern): Limited or no eye contact by 3–4 months. No babbling by 12 months. No pointing or waving by 12 months. No single words by 16 months. No two-word phrases by 24 months. Loss of any language or social skills at any age — this is always grounds for immediate evaluation.
Behavioral Patterns That May Raise Concern: Rigid routines with significant distress at changes. Repetitive body movements (rocking, hand-flapping, spinning) that occur frequently. Intense, narrow interests. Unusual sensory responses — either hypersensitive or hyposensitive to sound, touch, texture, light, or pain. Limited range of play — difficulty with imaginative or pretend play.
What To Do If You Have Concerns: Request a developmental screening at your 18-month and 24-month well-child visits — these are recommended by the AAP. Ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician, neurologist, or early intervention program. In the U.S., every state has an Early Intervention program for children under 3 — you can self-refer. Contact your state's early intervention program: call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
An Early Intervention note: Early intervention services — speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis among others — show the strongest outcomes when started before age 3. Do not wait for a formal diagnosis to begin services if concerns exist.
