Is There Anything Wrong with My Child?

As a parent, you probably know your child better than anyone else, and you see sides of them that others may not. Sometimes, certain behaviours or missed milestones can be early signs of a developmental delay or another condition that is worth checking. Keeping a gentle, regular eye on your child’s development helps you notice changes early and avoid misreading what you see.

Keeping an eye on your child’s development and milestones

Apart from physical milestones such as crawling, sitting and walking, it is important to keep track of your child’s social, emotional, language and cognitive milestones too. A delay in one milestone does not necessarily mean there is a developmental problem, but it can be an early signal that your child’s progress deserves a closer look.Every child develops at their own pace, so milestones are a general guide rather than a strict timetable. Knowing the typical milestones for each stage helps parents, teachers and healthcare professionals spot possible developmental delays or neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as early as possible. Free checklists such as the CDC’s developmental milestones can help you know what to look out for.

When to talk to a professional

Consider speaking to a paediatrician, clinical psychologist or child psychologist if:

• your child is not reaching milestones expected for their age (the CDC’s checklists list milestones that most children – 75% or more – reach by a given age)
• your child seems to lose skills they once had, such as words or social skills
• you notice differences in how your child communicates, plays or interacts with others
• a teacher, carer or family member raises a concern
• you simply have a feeling that something isn’t quite right

Don’t wait if you’re concerned

Some children reach their milestones more slowly, and some – for example, some late talkers – do catch up on their own. But it is hard to know in advance which children will, and early support can make a real difference for those who need it. The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. programme encourages families to act early: any missed milestone or concern is a reason to talk with your child’s healthcare provider and ask about developmental screening, rather than simply waiting to see.Checking early does not mean assuming the worst. An assessment can either reassure you or help your child get the right support sooner. Only a qualified professional can assess and diagnose a developmental condition.If you would like to talk things through, our child psychologists in Petaling Jaya can help, and we also offer psychological assessments.

This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis or treatment.

Related Reading

• Parent & Child Concern Self-Check (free)
• Child Abuse: You Don’t Need To Hit to Hurt
• Suicide Among Teens
• Services