Introduction

Developmental milestones are key skills that most children achieve by certain ages. These can include: 

• smiling 
• rolling over 
• taking first steps 
• saying first words. 

These milestones help track how a child is growing and developing. 

Your child may develop these skills: 

• earlier than other children the same age 
• slightly later than other children the same age
• in a different order than other children the same age.

Every child is different and will generally learn skills at their own pace within the developmental milestone windows. 

A developmental delay is when a child takes longer than expected to learn certain skills. 

Global developmental delay means several skills are developing more slowly than expected.

There may not be a specific reason for developmental delays, but they can be more common in children who: 

• were born prematurely, before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• have genetic disorders like Down syndrome
• have health conditions like epilepsy
• have problems with hearing and vision.

Your child’s development can also be affected by factors like: 

• the environment they live in
• their diet
• other health conditions and illnesses.

Developmental delay does not always mean your child has a disability. With extra support, children with developmental delays can continue growing, learning, and catching up with other children at their own pace.

Every child will develop at their own pace. Developmental windows for milestones are a general guide for when a child might need extra support.

In NSW, every baby receives a personal health record, known as the "blue book." 

The blue book tracks your child’s growth and health from birth to age five. It has information about what milestones your child should reach at each age.

Speak to your GP or child and family health nurse if you notice a slowdown, stop, or loss of skill development in your baby or if you are concerned. 

To diagnose developmental delay, your local doctor or child and family health nurse will: 

• ask questions about your child’s health and development 
• do a physical check 
• play and talk with your child to check their skill development. 

Depending on the issue, your doctor or nurse may refer you to: 

• a specialist doctor
• allied health professionals like speech pathologists and physiotherapists 
• other support services. 

Ask your doctor or nurse about Medicare plans for developmental delay or early intervention services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if needed.

Children with developmental delays can benefit from early intervention. Early intervention means getting professional help and support early to help identify any issues and help your child catch up in development. Speaking to your doctor or nurse about early intervention can help you: 

• identify areas where your child needs support 
• access specialist services

Early intervention services can include therapy, education, and regular checks with professionals like: 

• occupational therapists 
• audiologists 
• physiotherapists 
• psychologists 
• speech pathologists 
• social workers. 

The earlier children get support for developmental delay, the better the outcomes.