How to recognize developmental delay in babies? - Dr. Jyothi Raghuram HD

Initially, it is difficult for parents to pick up any kind of deviation or developmental delay, so it the role of their pediatrician or doctor to pick it up when they go for normal consultation. The babies will have to be checked for a detailed developmental assessment at every three months, six months and nine months, one year and then again by eighteen months and two years. When this is combined along with the examination of the baby in the doctors room, the pediatrician will also ask questions to the parent to assess for any kind of developmental deviation. It would be of concern if a baby does not hold his head by five months, the baby does not begin to roll over by six and a half to seven months, if a baby does not sit with support in ten months and if the baby is not standing with support by fourteen to fifteen months. Walking sometimes can be delayed as children sometimes are hypotonic and they start walking a little later, but should be able to take a few steps without support by fifteen to sixteen months. Bot babbling by the age of ten months to one year, not vocalizing or speaking a few words by fifteen to sixteen months, if a baby is not able to say a speak three to four words by two years, not making two word sentences, not pointing to objects should be considered as a developmental speech delay. One of the first things to be done when a baby has a speech delay is to check for hearing of the baby. Most of the hospitals universal newborn hearing screening at birth and that helps to rule out any congenital deafness which can occur as common as one in one thousand babies. A babies hearing has to be tested if its not been tested at birth..