Developmental Warning Signs
If at any age your child has:
  • limited play, self-care, skilled hand or tool use, productive activity, or social participation as expected for age
  • sensory preferences or aversions that limit any of the above
  • short attention span for age
  • limited food repertoire, and/or strong food preferences/aversions
  • overly clumsy, jerky movements, apparent weakness, balance problems
  • delayed developmental milestones
  • poor eye contact and interaction with parents/family
If at Birth to Six months, your child does not:
  • have suck/swallow/breathe coordination
  • control head and neck as expected for age
  • give eye contact or seem "connected" (consider age)
  • hold hands in fists
  • kick feet when on back
  • smile
If at Six months, your child does not:
  • calm or accept comfort when upset
  • play with rattles
  • watch a parent's/caregiver's face
  • follow a moving object with eyes
  • reach towards objects/faces
  • turn eyes or head toward sounds, bright colors, and lights
  • begin exploring objects with hands and mouth
  • make cooing sounds when interacting with caregivers
  • watch a parent's/caregiver's face, and show happiness
If at Eight months, your child does not:
  • sit independently
  • accept a variety of textures/types of food
  • move toy from one hand to the other
  • play with toes
  • roll from stomach to back
  • recognize familiar faces
  • share back-and-forth sounds and facial expressions
  • babble or repeat sounds like "da-da"
If at 12 months, your child does not:
  • attempt Pat-a-Cake, So Big, etc.
  • pick up Cheerios or other small items
  • poke or point with finger
  • crawl on hands and knees and pull self to standing position with support
If at 15 months, your child does not:
  • take a few steps independently
  • play with a variety of toys or objects
  • put objects into containers
  • stack at least two blocks
  • drink from a cup or sippy cup
  • hold arms and legs out while being dressed
  • say at least three to five words
If at 24 months, your child does not:
  • point to named body parts
  • consistently feed self with a spoon and drink from a cup
  • turn one page at a time in books
  • push, pull, and dump, following simple directions
  • pull off shoes, socks, and mittens
  • look at pictures in books
  • walk completely unaided
  • scribble spontaneously when provided with marking tool
If at three years, your child does not:
  • ride tricycle using pedals
  • use fingers and thumb to hold marker or crayon (not fisted grasp)
  • open door independently
  • imitate parents/caregivers
  • build a tower with four blocks
  • sing phrases of songs
  • use two and three word sentences
If at four years, your child does not:
  • play simple group games
  • take interest in coloring or drawing
  • cut paper in half
  • share toys with adult prompting
  • use toilet by self
  • put on shoes (without tying)
If at five years, your child does not:
  • dress self independently
  • take turns in play, or play cooperatively with other children
  • draw a person with at least five recognizable parts
  • eat with a fork and spoon
  • count to 10
  • attempt to copy letters and numbers (age 5 ½)
  • bathe self with minimal assistance
If at six years, your child does not:
  • ride a bike with training wheels
  • draw recognizable pictures with basic shapes
  • consistently print letters of name
  • count to 20
  • tie shoes
Older Children and Adolescents:
  • frustration, anxiety, and undesirable behaviors regarding writing tasks
  • muscle aches, pains, fatigue, cramps, or tremors when writing
  • immature grasp of writing tool
  • discrepancy between cognitive skills and performance
  • noticeable difference in speed of completion, or quality of writing as compared to agemates
  • increased difficulty with cursive writing and lengthy writing tasks
  • lack of independence with self-care activities or play/leisure time
  • difficulty with planning, sequencing, and organization
  • frustration and/or difficulty with other activities requiring skilled hand/tool use