On track with development?

Susan McLaughlin-Beltz, MA, PhD, CCTP

Behavioral Neuroscientist/Neuropsychologist

Have you ever wondered whether your child is meeting developmental milestones within the average time frames? Do you question why your baby isn’t babbling like other babies, or cries more than others? Have you noticed that your baby stiffens up when being cuddled or doesn’t smile when you play with him/her? Is your child not progressing from rolling over, to crawling/creeping, to sitting?      

These are all great questions that can create unending hours of worry for new parents. Developmental milestones are reached at different rates by every baby. While your first child may have been walking by 10 months, your second child may not walk until 13 months. These are both within the range of typical development. However, when your child’s progression is limited or regression is observed, you may become quite alarmed. 

A child’s development can be assessed from birth through every stage of growth. Some of the areas that are examined in infancy include visual reception, sensory functioning, gross and fine motor skills, as well as receptive and expressive language skills. Evaluations can be conducted to provide you with the developmental age (in months) in which your child is currently functioning. If your child exhibits developmental delays, an intervention plan is offered that could include home- or clinic-based services. You are your child’s best advocate and most informed caregiver, every plan for intervention includes you.

Don’t let yourself be anchored by worries about your child’s development. Get the answers to questions you have, as well as the support of a team of providers. NINH strives to help children and their families obtain optimal functioning in order to share in the enjoyment of their journeys together.   For further information, contact NINH at 603-621-9870 or www.ninhllc.com.