“Red Flags”
Atypical Development
Development of Young Children with Disabilities
#872.514 (61)
Carol Ann Heath
First Month
• Poor suck/swallow
• Doesn’t fix and follow moving object
• No response to bright light
• No response to loud sounds
• Seems “stiff”
• Seems loose or “floppy”
The First Year
• Does not smile at sound of your voice or
people by 3 months
• Does not track a moving object by 3 months
• Has difficulty moving eyes or crosses eyes
• Does not pay attention to new faces or
surroundings
• Does not reach and grasp an object by 4
months
The First Year Continued
• Can not support his head well by 3 months
• Does not bear weight briefly when placed in
standing by 4 months
• Does not babble by 4 months
• Does not imitate sounds by 4 months
• Still has Moro reflex after 4 months
• Still has tonic neck reflex after 5 months
The First Year Continued
• Reaches with only one hand
• Has difficulty getting objects to his mouth
• Does not cuddle
• Does not roll in either direction by 5 months
• Does not sit with support by 6 months
• Does not actively reach for objects by 7
months
The First Year Continued
• Does not babble by 8 months
• Does not crawl by 12 months
• Does not use both sides of body when
crawling
• Does not stand with support by 12 months
• Does not point to objects or pictures by 12
months
By Age 2
• Can not walk by 18 months
• Does not use mature heel-toe walking
pattern or only walks on toes after several
months of walking
• Does not speak 15 words by 18 months
• Does not use two word sentences by 2
• Does not follow simple instructions by 2
The Preschool Years
• Walks on toes
• One arm or leg may be stiff
• Uses predominantly one hand for play
• Uncoordinated when walking or running
• Falls down often
• Uncontrolled movements
The Preschool Years
Continued
• Does not verbalize or has few words
• Cannot clearly express himself
• Responses grossly immature
• Converses only in response to questions
• Cannot point to pictures upon request
• Does not understand simple questions
• Does not follow two step commands
The Preschool Years
Continued
• Cannot be understood by others
• Slow to respond
• Performs tasks only in a trial-and –error
manner
• Echolalic or repetitive language
• Repetitive behaviors
• Unable to sustain attention (age appropriate)
Considerations
• Has hearing been checked
• High risk pregnancy
• Environment
• Family history
• “late talkers” and “late walkers”
• Parental concern with labeling
Factors Affecting Cognitive
Development
• Environment
• Visual impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Physical impairments
• Mental retardation
When To Refer
• Milestone Attainment
• Quality of skills
• One area affected vs. several areas
• Physiological aspects
• Behavioral issues
Behavioral Issues
• Temper tantrums
• Social interactions
• Toilet training
• Attention deficits
• Hyperactivity
Testing Continued
• Bayley Scales of Infant Development –II
Ages: 1 month to 42 months