Developmental Delay
Helping Children Grow, Learn and Reach Their Full Potential
Every child grows and develops at their own pace. Some children crawl earlier, some talk later and some need a little extra support along the way. When a child doesn’t reach expected skills within a typical timeframe, it may be called a developmental delay.
At Mary Free Bed Kids, we specialize in identifying developmental delays early. We provide personalized therapy plans that help children build strength, confidence and independence. Our team partners with families to help children reach important milestones—one step at a time.
Why Mary Free Bed Kids?
As a CARF-Accredited Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, we provide expert, family-centered care designed to support the best possible recovery outcomes. Rehabilitation is essential for children with a developmental delay, and research consistently shows that beginning specialized care early can significantly improve a child’s progress.
Our accredited programs, seasoned clinical teams, and compassionate approach ensure that children and families receive the highest standard of support throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital holds a number of special accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). This voluntary but rigorous accreditation process is based on specific and comprehensive standards ensuring the highest-quality rehabilitation.
CARF is an independent organization dedicated to providing reliable information to help patients and families make informed health care decisions. Consumers and medical professionals collaborate to develop the leading-edge standards by which providers are measured.
What is developmental delay?
Understanding the Basics
Developmental delay occurs when a child doesn’t meet expected milestones in one or more areas of development. These areas typically include:
- Gross motor skills (big movements like sitting, crawling or walking)
- Fine motor skills (small movements like grasping toys or using utensils)
- Speech and language
- Cognitive skills (thinking, problem-solving and learning)
- Social and emotional skills
- Adaptive skills (daily living tasks like dressing or feeding)
Children develop at different speeds, and a delay doesn’t automatically mean a long-term diagnosis. In some cases, children simply need additional support and therapy. Other times, developmental delay may be related to an underlying medical or neurological condition.
The good news? Early intervention makes a powerful difference.
Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are skills most children achieve by certain ages. Below, you’ll see some key developmental milestones for various ages.
Infants (Birth to 12 Months)
During the first year of life, babies grow and change quickly. Important milestones may include:
By 2–3 months:
- Lifts head during tummy time
- Begins smiling at caregivers
- Makes cooing sounds
By 4–6 months:
- Rolls over
- Reaches for toys
- Laughs and responds to sounds
- Begins sitting with support
By 9 months:
- Sits independently
- Babbles (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)
- Responds to their name
- Transfers objects between hands
By 12 months:
- Pulls to stand or cruises along furniture
- Says simple words like “mama” or “dada”
- Waves or points
- Shows preferences for familiar people
If a child isn’t showing several of these skills, it may be helpful to speak with a pediatrician or developmental specialist.
Toddlers (1–3 Years)
The toddler years bring major growth in movement, communication and independence.
By 18 months:
- Walks independently
- Uses 5–10 words
- Points to show interest
- Begins simple pretend play
By 2 years:
- Runs and climbs
- Combines two words (“more milk”)
- Follows simple directions
- Begins parallel play with other children
By 3 years:
- Jumps with both feet
- Speaks in short sentences
- Names familiar objects
- Shows a wider range of emotions
If a toddler has limited speech, difficulty walking or challenges interacting with others, early evaluation can help identify next steps.
Preschool and Early School Age (3–5 Years)
As children approach school age, development expands into more complex communication and learning skills.
By 4 years:
- Hops on one foot
- Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
- Follows multi-step instructions
- Plays cooperatively with peers
By 5 years:
- Dresses independently
- Tells simple stories
- Recognizes letters or numbers
- Demonstrates improved balance and coordination
Delays at this stage may impact readiness for kindergarten and early learning.
Signs of Developmental Delay
When to Seek Support
While every child is unique, families should consider an evaluation if they notice:
- Not sitting by 9 months
- Not walking by 18 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No two-word phrases by age 2
- Limited eye contact or social engagement
- Difficulty feeding or swallowing
- Trouble using hands for age-appropriate tasks
- Regression (loss of previously learned skills)
Trust your instincts. If something feels different or concerning, early evaluation is always the right step.
What causes developmental delay?
Developmental delay can have many possible causes, including:
- Premature birth
- Genetic conditions
- Neurological disorders
- Brain injury
- Muscle or movement disorders
- Hearing or vision impairments
- Environmental factors
- Unknown causes
Sometimes, no specific cause is identified, and children still make tremendous progress with therapy.
A Comprehensive, Child-Focused Approach
Our Pediatric Rehabilitation Team conducts thorough developmental assessments that may include:
- Medical history review
- Standardized developmental testing
- Movement and coordination evaluation
- Speech and language evaluation
- Feeding and swallowing evaluation
- Cognitive and learning evaluation
We look at the “whole child,” not just one skill set. Families are active participants in this process, sharing insights about their child’s strengths, personality and daily routines.
Treatment depends on which areas of development are affected. Therapy may include:
Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapists help children improve:
- Strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Walking and mobility
- Gross motor milestones
For infants and toddlers, therapy often focuses on rolling, crawling, standing and walking.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapists support:
- Fine motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Sensory processing
- Self-care tasks (feeding, dressing, grooming)
- Play skills
OT helps children gain independence in everyday activities.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech-language pathologists assist with:
- Expressive and receptive language
- Articulation
- Social communication
- Feeding and swallowing challenges
Communication is essential for learning and connection. Early therapy helps build a strong foundation for a lifetime of communication.
Feeding Therapy
If a child struggles with chewing, swallowing or transitioning to solid foods, feeding specialists and dietitians work together to improve safety and nutrition.
Developmental and Behavioral Support
Some children benefit from additional services that focus on:
- Attention and focus
- Emotional regulation
- Social interaction
- School readiness
Our team collaborates closely with families and schools to ensure consistency and progress.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Research consistently shows that early therapy leads to better outcomes. The brain is most adaptable in early childhood, meaning new skills can develop more efficiently with timely support.
Early intervention can:
- Improve long-term independence
- Strengthen communication skills
- Reduce frustration
- Improve school readiness
- Boost family confidence
Even small gains early on can create meaningful change over time.
Partnering With Families
You’re Part of the Team
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in supporting developmental progress. We empower families with:
- Home exercise programs
- Strategies to encourage language growth
- Play-based learning ideas
- Feeding guidance
- Tools for managing routines and transitions
Therapy doesn’t stop when you leave the clinic. We help families feel confident supporting progress at home, daycare and school.
What to Expect During Therapy
Each child’s therapy journey is unique, but most plans include:
- Regular therapy sessions (weekly or multiple times per week)
- Measurable goals based on developmental milestones
- Ongoing progress updates
- Adjustments as skills improve
Some children need short-term support, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy, depending on their needs.
Supporting Growth Every Step of the Way
Watching your child grow is one of life’s greatest joys. When development feels uncertain, it can also bring questions and worries. Our pediatric rehabilitation specialists are here to guide, support and celebrate progress alongside your family.
With expert evaluation, personalized therapy and compassionate care, children with developmental delay can build skills, confidence and independence.
If you have concerns about your child’s milestones or development, contact our team to learn more about evaluation and therapy options. Together, we can help your child move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child “catch up?”
Many children with mild delays catch up with early therapy. Others may continue to develop at their own pace but still make meaningful progress and gain independence.
Does developmental delay mean my child has a lifelong condition?
Not always. Developmental delay is a description, not a diagnosis. Some children outgrow delays, while others may later receive a specific diagnosis that guides ongoing support.
How soon should I seek help?
You should seek help as soon as you notice a concern. There’s no downside to early evaluation, and early action often leads to the best outcomes.
Ready to Get Started With Mary Free Bed?
Wherever your child is on their rehabilitation journey, we’re here to help every step of the way. Our pediatric specialists are ready to listen, support and guide your family through recovery. Whether your child is just beginning treatment or continuing progress from earlier care, our team is committed to encouraging their growth, celebrating milestones and supporting every goal—big and small.
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