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Is Your Child Meeting Milestones? Consult a Developmental Pediatrician in Kirkland, WA

Is Your Child Meeting Milestones? Consult a Developmental Pediatrician in Kirkland, WA

Monitoring your child’s milestones is essential for ensuring healthy development. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, motor skills, or social interactions, consulting a developmental pediatrician can provide clarity and guidance. At Evergreen Pediatrics, our board-certified pediatrician, Basma Raees, MD, specializes in evaluating developmental progress and offering personalized care for children. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 12911 120th Ave NE Suite B10, Kirkland, WA 98034.

Is Your Child Meeting Milestones? Consult a Developmental Pediatrician in Kirkland, WA
Is Your Child Meeting Milestones? Consult a Developmental Pediatrician in Kirkland, WA

Table of Contents:

What signs indicate my child is not meeting developmental milestones?
At what age should I consult a developmental pediatrician?
What types of delays do developmental pediatricians assess?
Are speech delays a reason to see a developmental pediatrician?

What signs indicate my child is not meeting developmental milestones?


Monitoring developmental milestones is essential for identifying potential delays and ensuring your child’s healthy growth. While every child develops at their own pace, certain signs may warrant further evaluation. Being attentive to your child’s progress in motor skills, communication, social interactions, and cognitive abilities can help identify areas of concern early.

Signs of Developmental Delays:

● Motor Skills: Difficulty holding their head up by 4 months, not sitting unsupported by 9 months, or not walking by 18 months. Struggles with grasping objects, using utensils, or coordination may also indicate delays.
● Language and Communication: Limited babbling, no first words by 15 months, or difficulty forming phrases by age 2. Trouble following instructions or reduced vocabulary by preschool age could signal communication delays.
● Social and Emotional Skills: Lack of smiling by 3 months, limited eye contact, or difficulty interacting with peers and sharing by preschool age. Withdrawal or excessive shyness may also be areas of concern.
● Cognitive Skills: Challenges with problem-solving, attention, memory, or understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

Signs such as unusual sensory sensitivities, difficulty feeding, seizures, or excessive lethargy should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

If you notice any of these signs, consulting a developmental specialist can provide clarity and guidance to support your child’s growth and well-being.

At what age should I consult a developmental pediatrician?


If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms in your child, it may be beneficial to visit Evergreen Pediatrics for a consultation with our developmental pediatricians:

● Developmental Delays: If your child is not reaching expected milestones, such as crawling, walking, or talking, our specialists can provide a comprehensive evaluation. For example, if your infant is not smiling by three months or not walking by 18 months, it may be time to seek our expert advice.
● Regression: Should your child lose previously acquired skills, our team can help identify potential underlying issues and recommend appropriate interventions.
● Behavioral Concerns: Persistent behavioral challenges, including aggression, withdrawal, or difficulty focusing, may require the attention of our skilled pediatricians. We can assist if your toddler is not speaking in short phrases by age two or struggles with transitions.
● Neurological Symptoms: If your child experiences seizures, unusual movements, or muscle weakness, our developmental experts are here to provide thorough assessments and care plans.
● Sensory Processing Issues: For children who are overly sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli, our team can offer strategies to better manage these challenges.
● Feeding or Sleeping Problems: Persistent difficulties with eating, sleeping, or toilet training warrant a consultation with our developmental specialists.
● Social Difficulties: If your child has trouble interacting with peers or understanding social cues, we can offer guidance and support to enhance their social skills.

Developmental concerns can manifest differently at various ages, and our team is equipped to address them at every stage:

● Infancy: We focus on early motor and language milestone evaluations, offering support if your infant is not meeting expected developmental markers by six months.
● Toddlerhood: Our pediatricians can provide strategies and interventions for managing persistent tantrums or difficulty with transitions by age two.
● Preschool Age: We offer expert guidance on improving social interactions and play skills for children facing challenges by age three.
● School Age: Our specialists can assist with academic struggles, attention difficulties, and significant social challenges that may arise by age five.

We encourage you to trust your instincts as a parent. Discuss any concerns with your child’s primary care provider, and let us help guide you in deciding when to seek specialized care.

What types of delays do developmental pediatricians assess?


Developmental pediatricians specialize in identifying and managing various delays in children to support their growth and overall well-being. These professionals provide comprehensive assessments and personalized care plans to address challenges in key areas of development.

Common Types of Developmental Delays:

● Communication Delays: Challenges in speech and language, such as difficulty forming words, constructing sentences, or understanding spoken language. Interventions focus on improving verbal expression and comprehension.
● Motor Skill Delays:
○ Gross Motor Skills: Difficulty with large movements like sitting, crawling, or walking.
○ Fine Motor Skills: Struggles with precise movements required for tasks like writing or using utensils.
● Cognitive Delays: Impacts on learning, memory, attention, and problem-solving. Strategies focus on enhancing critical thinking and concept comprehension.
● Social and Emotional Delays: Difficulty forming relationships, understanding social cues, or managing emotions. Interventions aim to improve social interactions, play skills, and emotional regulation.
● Adaptive Skill Delays: Challenges with daily living activities like dressing, feeding, and personal hygiene. Personalized strategies foster independence in self-care tasks.
● Multidimensional Delays: Delays across multiple areas of development requiring a holistic approach to address complex needs.

Developmental pediatricians provide essential support for children facing these challenges, helping them build skills and thrive in their daily lives.

Are speech delays a reason to see a developmental pediatrician?


We recognize that speech delays can be a significant concern for parents. Understanding when to seek specialized care from a developmental pediatrician is crucial for your child’s overall development and well-being.

Key Indicators of Speech Delays:

Parents should be aware of typical speech milestones and monitor for signs that may warrant further evaluation:

● Inability to babble between 6 to 12 months
● Limited vocabulary or the absence of single words by 12 to 16 months
● Difficulty understanding simple instructions by 18 months
● Inconsistent or unclear speech patterns after 2 years
● Not forming two-word phrases by 24 months

If your child is experiencing any of these delays, it may be beneficial to consult with a developmental pediatrician at Evergreen Pediatrics.

Speech delays can stem from various factors, including:

● Neurological disorders
● Hearing impairments
● Autism spectrum disorder
● Developmental language disorder
● Down syndrome
● Premature birth
● Environmental influences

If you have concerns about your child’s speech development, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment with our compassionate and expert team. We are here to support your child’s developmental journey and ensure they receive the necessary interventions for a thriving future.

For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 12911 120th Ave NE Suite B10, Kirkland, WA 98034. We serve patients from Seattle WA, Shoreline WA, Lake Forest Park WA, Kenmore WA, Woodinville WA, Mountlake Terrace WA, Woodway WA, Edmonds WA, Lynnwood WA, Bothell WA and Lake Washington WA.