Developmental delays in the first year
Developmental milestones generally happen within a windows of a few months.
These windows are a guide, and it is normal for children to learn early or late in these windows.
It is normal for parents to be anxious about developmental delay in the first 12 months.
Developmental delay can be when a child:
- develops skills slower than other children in the same age group
- passes a certain window of time without developing a particular skill.
Remember that a delay does not always mean there is a long-term issue. Sometimes, it means your child needs a bit of extra support in a particular area.
Check in with your local doctor If you:
- notice over several months that your child isn't developing skills at the same rate as other children their age
- would like some extra guidance or support on how to help your child develop certain skills
- are otherwise worried or have any questions.
There are services available that can assess and support children with developmental delays to reach developmental milestones at their own pace.
Identifying developmental delays early means earlier access to support and better outcomes for your child and family.
Early Intervention
Support for children with developmental delays is called early intervention.
Early intervention helps children "catch up" and includes therapy, support and education from health professionals.
Support can come from health professionals, including:
- occupational therapists
- audiologists
- physiotherapists
- psychologists
- speech pathologists
- social workers.
Early intervention helps children to develop the skills they need to thrive.