Developmental Red Flags

 Red Flags

Infants and toddlers (1 to 36 months)

• Does not follow objects with eyes.
• Does not respond to loud sounds.
• Easily startled by loud noises (door bell, fireworks, thunder, vacuum and background noises) or covers ears.
• Irritated by certain clothing (texture or the restrictions of the clothing)
• Low muscle tone (body feels loose or floppy).
• Unable to hold head up.
• Poor sleeping patterns.
• Excessive drooling.
• Difficulty bearing weight through arms or legs. Unable to bear weight in standing or quadruped (all fours)
• Startles easily.
• Dislikes tummy time.
• Regression of skills once attained.
• Stiff arms and/or legs (body feels tight).
• Does not turn his/her head to one side.
• Unable to sit without support.
• Unable to be calmed.
• Prefers to play with objects rather than interact with people.
• Doesn’t like to have their face or hair washed.
• Cannot pull to stand or cruise around furniture.
• Does not reach for their legs.
• Cannot roll to back or belly.
• Tilts his/her head to one side.
• Arms stay out to the sides.
• Does not creep or crawl.

Preschool (3 to 5 years old)

Includes the above red flags in early development and not limited to the following:

• Clumsy and poor motor skills.
• Difficulties making friends.
• Sensitive to certain lights.
• Unable to modulate his/her voice. Speaks too loud or too soft.
• Easily startled by loud noises (door bell, fireworks, thunder, vacuum and background noises) or covers ears.
• Easily aroused following certain movements such as spinning.
• Doesn’t follow verbal cues yet does not present with hearing problems.
• Repeatedly asks for you to repeat what was said.
• In constant motion. Unaware of personal space.
• Motion sickness, nausea from swinging/spinning.
• Limited repertoire of play preferences.
• Decreased endurance/ fatigues easily.
• Long temper tantrums.
• Decreased body awareness, falls often, bumps into people or things.
• Fearful when feet lose contact with the ground, on swings, or when the head is positioned in different directions.
• Avoids cuddling, bathing, dental visits, or haircuts.
• Over sensitive to touch, noises, smells, or other people.
• Has meltdown in crowded or over stimulating environments such as during birthday parties, amusements parks, playgrounds, etc.
• Cannot kick or throw a ball.
• Cannot jump in place or jump forward.
• Cannot skip or hop.
• Delayed motor skills compared to peers.
• Cannot walk on stairs without support.
• Picky eater.
• Walks on tiptoes.
• Uses excessive or too little force.
• Avoids playground structures, such as swings and slides.
• Decreased language skills, communicating and/or, minimal eye contact.
• Easily distractible.
• Doesn’t perceive pain after injury or fall.
• Wakes up in the night.
• Cannot ride a tricycle or bike.

School age (6 to 12 years old)

Includes the above red flags in early development and not limited to the following:

• Easily distracted.
• Impulsive and cannot sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Decreased confidence and participation in sports.
• Cannot follow multi-step commands.
• Obsessive tendencies and unable to change tasks.
• Poor posture, slumps while sitting at desk.
• Over sensitive to touch, noises, smells, and other people.
• Takes a long time to get dressed.
• Unorganized and messy.
• Low muscle tone.
• Delayed handwriting skills and messy handwriting.
• Increased pressure when coloring or writing. Easily breaks crayons and pencils.
• Blinks often or looks away from the paper when doing homework.
• Unaware of pain or other people. Poor safety awareness, risk taker, does not look when walking on the stairs.
• Avoids or seeks movement.

Adolescents (13 years and older)

Includes the above red flags in early development and not limited to the following:

• Over sensitive to touch, noise, smells, and other people.
• Poor self-esteem, afraid of failure and wont try new tasks.
• Decreased energy, sluggish, and slow.
• Frequent injuries.
• Always on the go, impulsive and highly distractible.
• Does not complete things.
• Poor motor skills, clumsy, messy handwriting.
• Depressed or unmotivated.
• Decreased social life and participation in age appropriate sports.
• Over-weight, sedentary lifestyle.

If your child suffers from three or more symptoms in any the above categories please call Sensory Jim to schedule an evaluation at 929.33.KIDPT (335.4378).