Understanding Developmental Delay: A Guide for Parents

Watching your little one grow is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting. But sometimes, you might notice they aren’t hitting milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking at the same time as other children. It’s natural to worry, but let’s talk about what developmental delay really means and what steps you can take if you’re concerned.

What Is Developmental Delay?

Developmental delay happens when a child doesn’t reach a particular milestone—like sitting, walking, or speaking—at the typical age. These milestones are general guidelines, not strict rules, as every child is unique and develops at their own pace.

However, when delays persist or your child seems to struggle more than expected, it might signal a need for extra support. Factors like premature birth, underlying medical conditions, or even environmental influences can play a role.

What Should I Look Out For?

Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding gross motor milestones (those big movements like crawling and walking):

• By 4-6 months: Trouble lifting their head during tummy time or not rolling over.

• By 9 months: Not sitting up on their own or not reaching for toys while seated.

• By 12 months: No crawling or difficulty pulling to stand.

• By 15-18 months: Not walking on their own or relying heavily on one side of the body.

• After 2 years: Struggles with running, climbing stairs, or keeping balance during play.

  
  

If you’re noticing these signs, it doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your child—it’s just a cue to check in with professionals who can help.

What Should I Do If I Think My Child is Delayed?

1. Listen to Your Gut

   You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off, it’s worth exploring. It’s always better to ask questions early rather than wait and see.

2. Talk to Your Doctor or Health Visitor

   Bring up your concerns during your child’s regular check-up. GPs and Health Visitors can screen for developmental milestones and may refer you to a specialist.

3. Visit a Paediatric Physiotherapist

   A physiotherapist can assess your child’s motor skills and create a fun, personalised plan to support their development. This often involves play-based activities that you can also practice at home.

4. Book a Baby MOT

   Baby MOTs are a great way of getting early insight into your baby's gross motor development. Physiotherapists who offer baby MOTs typically assess things such as muscle strength, muscle tone, reflexes, gross motor progress and positional tolerance. They will usually also screen for any potential underlying health concerns and refer on to GPs or Paediatricians when appropriate. These services can be booked from birth onwards.

5. Get Involved in Early Intervention

   Early intervention programmes are designed to give children the support they need, whether that’s physiotherapy, speech therapy, or other services.

6. Encourage Active Play at Home

   Simple activities, like tummy time, crawling games, or using toys to encourage movement, can help strengthen your child’s skills.

   
   

Why Acting Early Matters

If your child is delayed, addressing it early can make a huge difference. With the right help, many children catch up to their peers and develop confidence in their abilities. Early support also prevents secondary issues, like stiffness or weak muscles, that might make movement harder later on.

Real Life Story

Recently I had a lovely little girl (let's call her Lola for story telling purposes) attend our practice after being referred by mum due to concerns she had about Lola's crawling pattern, as she was what physio's like to call a "bottom shuffler". Lola was 12 months old when she came to see me and had been bottom shuffling since she was around 9 months, but mum reported she really struggled to get herself into a four-point kneeling position (typical crawling position) and was finding it challenging to progress onto the next developmental milestone, high kneeling. Luckily she contacted us when she did so we were able to figure out what the driving forces were causing this crawling pattern before they started to impact Lola's social interactions and further development - turns out she had suffered from pretty severe reflux as a baby and therefore had limited tummy time, meaning she was much more settled in a sitting position and had slowly become a "happy sitter", but more on that in another blog post. Anyway, after some age-appropriate core strengthening exercises, practice in four-point kneeling and arm strengthening exercises Lola was able to crawl in a typical crawling pattern within a couple of weeks! This then made it much easier for her to achieve her subsequent developmental milestones and within just one month after her crawling achievement she was walking independently. It really is crazy just how quickly children can progress once you deep dive and unlock these developmental blockers. Lola was no longer frustrated by the fact she couldn't get where she wanted to go or that she couldn't play effectively with her peers - in fact her friends at her baby groups were struggling to keep up with her!

Every Child is Unique

Try not to compare your child to others. It’s easier said than done, but remember: milestones are guidelines, not rules. Celebrate every step your child takes, no matter how small, and trust that with the right support, they’ll find their way.

If you’re concerned about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s your doctor, a paediatric physiotherapist, or an early intervention team, there are people ready to help you and your little one thrive.

You’ve got this, and so does your child. 💛