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developmental delays
A developmental delay is when your child does not reach their developmental milestones
at expected times. It's an ongoing major delay in the process of development. If your child is
only lagging slightly or temporarily behind, that's not called a developmental delay. If you
think that your child seems behind, talk with your doctor about it.
If it's not a delay, but a temporary lag, you may still want to intervene and get some
additional help for your child. Early intervention is very important.
The first few years of a child's life are a rapid time of development. What happens during
those years stays with your child for a lifetime. That's why it's important to look for signs of
delays and get help if you suspect a problem.
The sooner a child with delays gets early
intervention, the better their progress will be.
developmental concerns
Parents often have concerns about their child's social and emotional adjustment. Frequently a
delay in speech, for example, will lead to frustration. A child may become aggressive
or go to the opposite extreme and avoid socializing with other children. At two years
old, for example, other children don't really care if they talk back to them. But toward the
end of the second year children will usually walk away from a child who cannot talk.
At times, mild sensory issues may affect your child's social behavior. This can be a child who
"touches or hugs too much" to a child who is avoiding sitting close or even holding another
child's hand. Although these issues often don't appear serious, they can and do affect a child's
social development and self esteem. Sometimes there are other "life stresses" that
impact a child and can be easily corrected with a few simple techniques. Other times two
separate parenting styles can cause frustration and confusion.
From what I've experienced, parents usually have a "gut instinct" when something isn't
quite right. It's important too get answers to your questions even when the problems are small ones!
delay in speech, for example, will lead to frustration. A child may become aggressive
or go to the opposite extreme and avoid socializing with other children. At two years
old, for example, other children don't really care if they talk back to them. But toward the
end of the second year children will usually walk away from a child who cannot talk.
At times, mild sensory issues may affect your child's social behavior. This can be a child who
"touches or hugs too much" to a child who is avoiding sitting close or even holding another
child's hand. Although these issues often don't appear serious, they can and do affect a child's
social development and self esteem. Sometimes there are other "life stresses" that
impact a child and can be easily corrected with a few simple techniques. Other times two
separate parenting styles can cause frustration and confusion.
From what I've experienced, parents usually have a "gut instinct" when something isn't
quite right. It's important too get answers to your questions even when the problems are small ones!
"As a pediatrician trained in child development,I can assuredly say that Ms. Astair has a broad
fund of knowledge and an advanced understanding of both typical and atypical neurological growth
and behavior in children. She is a valuable asset to this community and the families with whom she
works."
Paul Fisher, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Pre-school years
* excessive fears
* extreme separation anxiety
* speech delay (little or no speech by 30 months)
* having significant difficulty attending to tasks
* lack of interest in other children
* overly physical or aggressive
* overly cautious
elementary years
* excessive fears
* extreme separation anxiety
* poor social skills
* difficulty forming peer relationships
* overly shy
* bed wetting
* temper tantrums
* threatening or bullying peers
* speech problems
* toileting problems
* excessive fear of strangers
* ritualistic behaviors
* lack of interest in others
* low self esteem
* clingy
* bossy and demanding
* lacking self-confidence
"Alison is a fabulous resource for classroom management and aiding individual children
with behavioral issues. I have known Alison for eight years and in that time she has helped
numerous children and their families by identifying detrimental behaviors and
explaining strategies to help the family work together. For classroom teachers she
provided techniques for managing difficult or destructive of children that interfere with
a calm learning environment for the group."
Bonnie Levine-Berggren, JD
Davie, FL
with behavioral issues. I have known Alison for eight years and in that time she has helped
numerous children and their families by identifying detrimental behaviors and
explaining strategies to help the family work together. For classroom teachers she
provided techniques for managing difficult or destructive of children that interfere with
a calm learning environment for the group."
Bonnie Levine-Berggren, JD
Davie, FL
