This site is intended for parents/carers of children who may display an unusual/atypical motor and/or cognitive development (or the lack of). The intent of this website is not to make a diagnosis but to encourage the parents/carers to promptly seek medical advice and/or referral to a relevant specialist.

Each child’s development is individual and unique

You are best placed to detect any unusual signs your child may be showing. Although there may be nothing to worry about, understanding and recording your child’s development may potentially help your healthcare provider recognise any atypical signs of an underlying cause, or a developmental disorder.

Key developmental milestones1

All children develop at different paces, however you can use the below average timeframes as a guide:

  • 2-4 Months: Your baby should start to move their head, turn towards sounds, and recognise and respond to your voice and smile. They may also start to reach for toys and objects
  • 4-8 Months: Grasping toys should become more regular, while they may also be able to sit up without support. From 6 months, your baby should start to make sounds and show emotion when playing
  • 8-12 Months: Your child may have learnt to crawl on all fours and could begin to stand and walk around while supported. They may also begin to master their fine motor skills, by holding objects with their thumb and index finger
  • 12-18 Months: Your toddler should take their first steps, initially unsteadily, until they gain confidence and stability. They may also begin to understand you, respond to their name when being called and say their first words

With these developmental milestones in mind, and the prompts below as a guide, it is important to record any signs of unusual development in your child. You can download the developmental diaries here to help you track your child’s development. You can also find further details on how to track your child’s development on the next page.

Movement, communication, cognition and behaviour

Your child’s development can be categorised into movement and motor skills, language development, cognition (mental processes) and behavioural aspects.

Motor skills and language development1-6

  • Developmental stops or regressions: for example, your child was walking but has forgotten how to, or stopped walking again within weeks or months
  • Already learned movements such as crawling, sitting or standing are now noticeably difficult for your child
  • Unexpected loss of balance
  • Coordination difficulties, e.g., when running, jumping, or holding things
  • Developing a tremor in arms or legs
  • New problems with eating and drinking: your child now has difficulty using cutlery and drinking from bottles or (sippy) cups
  • Difficulties swallowing food or drink, often leading to retching
  • Suddenly occurring speech disorder

Cognition and behaviour (in toddlers and older children)1-6

  • Sudden lack of interest in things that were originally well liked
  • Impaired focus when previously attentive
  • Change in energy levels, appearing fatigued, dazed, or waking up at night
  • Increased difficulties at school
  • Uncharacteristic behaviour: sudden impulsivity, stubbornness
  • Forgetting things already learned/memory loss
  • Gap between milestones getting larger

Most observations turn out to be harmless or have a cause other than rare disorders. Nevertheless, you should react if you notice unusual signs in your child’s development by discussing them with your healthcare provider. Early detection increases the chances for early intervention and outcomes for your child.

You are best positioned to notice any unusual signs in your child’s development. Listen to your gut feeling and report them promptly to your healthcare provider. The earlier these are recognised, the higher the chances appropriate action can be taken.

Early detection increases chances for early intervention. Learn how to track your child’s development at home here

For no apparent reason, our 2.5-year-old could no longer walk properly. He had trouble keeping his balance and his legs kept going strangely limp.”

Mother of a boy with a rare disease

References

  1. Healthier Together. Website accessed via https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/ on 7 March 2023.
  2. Cleary MA, Green A. Developmental delay: when to suspect and how to investigate for an inborn error of metabolism. Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(11):1128-1132.
  3. Sun A. Lysosomal storage disease overview. Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(24):476.
  4. Alenezi S, et al. Findings of a Multidisciplinary Assessment of Children Referred for Possible Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Insights from a Retrospective Chart Review Study. Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(12):509.
  5. Reiss AL. Childhood developmental disorders: an academic and clinical convergence point for psychiatry, neurology, psychology and pediatrics. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2009;50(1-2):87-98.
  6. Eichler F, et al. Understanding caregiver descriptions of initial signs and symptoms to improve diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2022;17:370.

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