If you suspect your child is developing
skills or speech later than he or she should, don’t wait to have
them diagnosed by a pediatrician or screened by a professional.
The months you wait for your child to
“outgrow” a developmental delay may be the months they need
for intervention.
Social/Communication Red Flags:
If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask
your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful
expressions by six months or thereafter
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds,
smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
• No babbling by 12 months
• No back-and-forth gestures, such as
pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months
• No words by 16 months
• No two-word meaningful phrases (without
imitating or repeating) by 24 months
• Any loss of speech or babbling or social
skills at any age
Reprinted by permission from First Steps.
