Developmental charts, which are essential resources for many who work with pediatrics, cover domains like communication, cognitive skills, social-emotional skills, adaptive behavior, and physical skills.
- Communication: Understanding and using verbal/nonverbal language.
- Cognitive Skills: this might include developmental information related to different types of attention, different types of memory, and problem-solving
- Social-Emotional Skills: Interaction and attachment to others
- Adaptive Behavior: Self-care abilities
- Physical Skills: Body awareness and muscle control
Developmental charts indicate typical milestones for children at various ages. They serve as guides, not absolutes, with acceptable age ranges for developmental tasks. For example, not walking by one’s first birthday isn’t alarming by itself. Significant delays, however, warrant intervention. After a medical evaluation confirms a delay, the child may be referred to specialists for further assessment and treatment.
Speech-Language Pathologists and other healthcare professionals regularly refer to developmental charts to evaluate communication skills and to help create intervention plans, which should be updated periodically. In short, developmental charts can serve as a guide for parents and clinicians alike. Additionally, it can help us clearly see what your child has accomplished and what the next goals or objectives might be on the horizon.
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