Knowing when to wait and when to ask for help
Is your child developing differently from other children their age?
Perhaps they started talking later than you expected. They may find everyday tasks difficult, struggle to play with other children or have big emotions that are hard to manage.
Maybe a teacher, GP or Maternal and Child Health nurse has raised a concern.
Or perhaps nobody else seems worried, but you are.
It can be hard to know what to do next.
Children develop at different rates, and there is a wide range of healthy development. Being early or late with one milestone does not always mean that a child has a developmental problem.
But there are also times when it is helpful to ask for advice.
At SLCN, we support families across Western Melbourne who have questions about their child's development. You don't need to know whether something is a "red flag" before you contact us.
If you are concerned, we can help you understand what you are seeing and what the next step may be.
Talk to SLCN about your child's development
Developmental red flags are signs that a child may need a closer look at an area of their development.
They are not a diagnosis.
They also don't automatically mean that something is wrong.
Instead, a developmental red flag tells us that it may be useful to ask more questions, monitor a child's progress or seek advice from a health or allied health professional.
Development can include many areas, such as:
Sometimes a concern is limited to one area. Sometimes parents notice several things at once.
The important thing is to look at the whole child.
Speech and language are common areas of concern for parents.
You may notice that your child:
There can be many reasons for differences in speech and language development.
If you are concerned, a speech pathologist can help you understand your child's communication skills and whether extra support may be useful.
Some children need more help than expected with everyday activities.
You may notice difficulties with:
These difficulties may become more noticeable as children start kinder or school and are expected to do more things independently.
An occupational therapist can help identify what is making everyday activities difficult and find practical ways to support your child.
All children become upset, angry or overwhelmed sometimes.
But you may be concerned if your child's distress is frequent, very intense or regularly affects family life, friendships, kinder or school.
You might notice:
Behaviour can be a form of communication.
Looking at what happens before, during and after these moments can help us understand what your child may be experiencing.
Social development also looks different from child to child.
Some children are naturally more social than others. Some prefer smaller groups or need more time before they feel comfortable.
It may be worth seeking advice if your child is regularly distressed by social situations or has ongoing difficulty joining play, communicating with other children or developing friendships.
Some children may also work very hard to manage social situations during the day and become exhausted or overwhelmed when they return home.
Understanding your child's experience is more helpful than simply comparing them with other children.
Sometimes developmental concerns become clearer when a child enters a more structured learning environment.
Teachers or educators may notice that your child:
This doesn't mean your child isn't capable.
It may mean that they need a different type of support to help them participate and learn.
This is one of the hardest questions for parents.
Sometimes waiting and monitoring development for a short time is appropriate.
At other times, getting advice early can prevent months of worry and help families understand what support may be useful.
You do not have to wait until a difficulty becomes severe before asking a question.
It can be particularly helpful to seek advice when:
Seeking advice does not mean committing your child to therapy.
Sometimes the outcome is simply reassurance and a plan to keep watching their development.
A good first step may be speaking with your GP, Maternal and Child Health nurse, paediatrician, educator or an allied health professional.
Depending on your concerns, your child may benefit from:
SLCN can help families understand which pathway may be appropriate.
You don't need to decide which therapist your child needs before getting in touch.
SLCN provides early intervention and allied health support for children and families across Western Melbourne.
Our multidisciplinary team can look beyond one symptom or concern and consider the whole child.
Support may include:
Our approach is family-centred, practical and neurodiversity-affirming.
Where helpful, and with your permission, we can also work with your child's school, kindergarten, GP, paediatrician and other professionals.
A developmental milestone is a skill children commonly develop around a particular stage, such as walking, talking or playing with others. A developmental red flag is a sign that an area of development may need closer attention.
Not necessarily. Children develop at different rates. One late milestone does not automatically mean there is a developmental delay. It can still be helpful to ask for advice if you are concerned.
If your child loses a skill they previously had, it is important to discuss this with an appropriate health professional rather than simply waiting to see what happens.
Not always. Many families seek advice or early intervention before their child has a formal diagnosis.
That depends on the area of concern. Speech pathologists, occupational therapists and behaviour practitioners support different aspects of development. SLCN can help you understand where to start.
Yes. With your permission, our team can work with educators and other professionals involved in your child's care.
SLCN has developmental milestone information covering children and young people from birth to 18 years. These resources can help you understand common areas of development at different ages.
You know your child better than anyone.
You don't need to compare them with every other child, and you don't need to panic because one skill is developing differently.
But you also don't need to ignore a concern that keeps coming back.
If something about your child's development is worrying you, start by asking the question.
We can help you understand what you are seeing and whether screening, assessment, early intervention or simply keeping an eye on development is the right next step.
Contact SLCN to talk about your child's development.
