As a parent, it is natural to worry if your child is “on track.” You might find yourself scrolling the parenting groups on social media, using Google to ask questions, or comparing your child to another child at the park.
In a world where information is at your fingertips and plentiful, it is important to understand the difference between developmental milestones and developmental averages; this distinction is especially important when seeking support from speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Developmental Milestone vs. Developmental Averages
A Developmental Milestone is defined as what “most” children are able to do at a certain age. Many resources define this as the point in which 90% of children are able to reach the targeted skill. Milestones are a great reference point to use for when a child is falling behind developmentally. However, they leave out the grey area that shows when a child is starting to fall behind.
A Developmental Average shows the average age that children are able to achieve a specific milestone. Many resources define this as the point in which 50% of children are able to reach a specific skill. A developmental average gives a better picture of what most children are doing and encourages caregivers to start providing support BEFORE a child falls behind.
Common Development Milestones
It is important to remember that all children develop at their own pace. But when a child is not meeting several developmental averages or is missing one developmental milestone, it may be time to seek extra support.
The team at Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness put together a list of common developmental milestones to watch for by age.
What is Early Intervention?
Intervention is when a therapist steps in to help a child learn something that’s hard for them, like walking, talking, eating, or playing. So when we say “early intervention,” it means giving that help early on—before the problem gets bigger—so the child has the best chance to grow, learn, and succeed.
The Importance of Early Intervention
As a therapist, I have seen the incredible impact early intervention can have on a child! In the past decade of being a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, I have seen how quickly children can catch up when they are seen for therapy when they first start to fall behind instead of waiting for them to miss multiple milestones.
All three therapies (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech) are designed to support children in all areas of development.
Early intervention can:
- Build strong neural pathways: A child’s brain is developing rapidly in the first five years. The earlier we intervene, the more effective therapy can be.
- Prevent secondary issues: Challenges with speech, motor skills, or sensory processing can impact learning, social interactions, and emotional development.
- Empower families: Early services help parents learn strategies to support their child at home and advocate confidently in educational settings.
Please do NOT wait and see when it comes to your child’s development. If your parenting instincts are telling you something is off, it is best to reach out for support.
Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness
Have a question or concern about your child’s development? Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness offered FREE SCREENINGS to check in and see if a therapy option could be helpful. Contact them at 701-356-0062 to find out more!
Words written by Jess, a Speech Language Pathologist at Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness.
