How to Help Your Child To Cope with Developmental Delays

You want to help your child do well, but it can be hard to watch them have trouble with developmental delays. You are not the only one—

• Around 25% of kids in the world have developmental delays.
• In some places, only 10% of kids have delays, but in other places, it can be as high as 42%.

Getting help early is important. Kids who get support before they turn three often get much better at talking and making friends. When you seek to help your child, you give them the best chance to do well.

Key Takeaways

• Notice signs of developmental delays early. Watch for problems with speech, movement, or social skills.
• Get a professional to check if you see problems. Write down what you notice to tell your child’s doctor.
• Begin early intervention services right away. Early help improves talking, moving, and social skills.
• Use play to help your child learn. Fun games can teach new skills and make learning fun.
• Make a daily routine for your child. A regular schedule helps your child feel safe and learn better.
• Use visual supports at home. Pictures and charts can help your child know what to do each day.
• Join support groups for parents. Talking to other parents can give you good advice and support.
• Take care of yourself as a parent. Your health is important so you can help your child.

What Are Developmental Delays

Signs to Watch For

You may wonder what developmental delays look like. Kids learn and grow at different speeds. Some signs can show when your child needs help. Here are some common types of developmental delays and what they mean:

Look for these signs in your child:

• Small vocabulary or trouble using words.
• Hard time crawling, walking, or holding a spoon.
• Not making eye contact or not wanting to play with others.
• Trouble solving easy problems or not curious about new things.
• Needs help with dressing or eating.

Kids with autism may not talk until age three or four. Most kids start talking between 12 and 18 months. Your child may not answer when you call their name.

They may not look at you. Some kids have trouble with motor skills. They may take longer to walk or use their hands.

If you see any of these signs, write them down. Note what happens and when. This can help you and your child’s doctor know what your child needs.

Why Early Help Matters

Getting help early helps your child a lot. Early intervention services help with motor skills, language, and social skills.

Studies show kids who get help early do better in school. They also make more friends. Some kids who get help early do not need special education later.

Here is how early help helps your child:

1. Builds skills in talking, socializing, and thinking.
2. Helps with feelings and doing well in school.
3. Gives parents ways to help their child grow.

Kids who get early help do better in school and life. They need less help as they get older. They have a better chance to live on their own. Early help also gives families support and lowers stress.

You do not need a diagnosis to get help. If you worry, talk to a professional. Early help can help your child succeed.

How to Help Your Child

Get a Professional Evaluation

When you notice your child is not meeting milestones, the first step is to get a professional evaluation. This helps you understand your child’s strengths and areas where they need support. Here’s how you can start:

1. Gather Observations: Write down what you see. Note any concerns about your child’s speech, movement, or social skills. Bring these notes to your appointment.
2. Start the Conversation: Tell your doctor about your concerns right away. Be clear and specific.
3. Advocate for Your Child: If you feel your concerns are not being heard, ask for a second opinion or request a referral to a specialist.
4. Work Together on a Plan: Ask your doctor to help you create a plan for evaluation and next steps.

A full evaluation looks at many areas, such as thinking skills, speech, language, social and emotional growth, movement, and daily living skills. Specialists who often help your child include:

• Developmental pediatricians
• Child psychiatrists
• Pediatric neurologists
• Speech therapists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists

You know your child best. Trust your instincts and keep asking questions until you get answers that make sense to you.

Start Early Intervention

Once you have an evaluation, you can start early intervention. Early help makes a big difference. Programs focus on building skills in talking, moving, and socializing. Many states offer services for children under three through early childhood programs.

You can reach out for early intervention by:

• Calling your local Family Health Hotline or Family Resource Coordinator.
• Contacting Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) or your local school district.
• Giving written permission for your child to be evaluated.

Early intervention can restore skills and even prevent more serious problems later. When you help your child early, you give them the best chance to grow and thrive.

Know Your Child

Every child is unique. To help your child, you need to understand their needs and what works best for them. Here are some ways to get to know your child better:

• Use play as a learning tool. Play helps your child build new skills in a fun way.
• Try visual cues, like pictures or charts, to help your child understand routines.
• Keep a daily routine. Structure helps your child feel safe and less overwhelmed.
• Watch for changes. If your child loses skills, ask for another evaluation.
• Connect with other parents. Support groups can give you advice and help you feel less alone.

Individualized support works best. When you tailor help to your child’s needs, you see more progress. Family-centered approaches, where you work with professionals and share your goals, lead to better results. Multi-disciplinary teams—like therapists, teachers, and doctors—can work together to help your child reach their potential.

You are not alone. Many families face similar challenges. When you reach out for help, you build a team that wants to help your child succeed.

Support at Home

Making your home a safe and caring place helps your child. You can use easy ideas and fun activities to help your child learn and feel good about themselves.

Play Activities

Playing is a great way for your child to learn new things. Different kinds of play help your child grow and develop.

Fine Motor Skills

You can use things like play-dough, slime, or putty to help your child make their hands stronger. These activities let your child touch and feel different things.

Try rolling, pinching, or squishing the materials. This helps your child with writing, buttoning clothes, and using forks and spoons.

• Play-dough and slime make your child’s fingers stronger.
• Soft mats and bumpy surfaces let your child feel new things.
• Building with blocks helps your child solve problems and move better.

Sensory play is very good for children with sensory processing differences, autism, or developmental delays.

Language Skills

Playing can help your child talk and make friends. You can sing songs, read picture books, or play pretend games. These activities help your child use words, listen, and talk to others.

• Singing and music help your child learn new words.
• Play easy games that use sharing and taking turns.
• Ask your child to name things or say what they are doing.

Structured Routine

Having a daily routine helps your child feel safe. You can make a schedule for meals, play, and sleep. Routines help your child learn, feel calm, and take care of themselves.

• Routines help your child know what will happen next.
• Routines help your child talk and move better.
• Schedules help your child feel happy and healthy.

You can change routines as your child gets older or when things are different. Talk about routines with your child and other caregivers.

Visual Supports

Visual supports help your child know what to do. You can use pictures, calendars, or boards to show your child what is coming.

1. Schedules/Mini-Schedules: Help your child know what to do each day.
2. Calendars: Show your child what events are coming.
3. Choice Boards: Let your child pick what they want to do.

• Pictures help your child remember what to do.
• Picture schedules help your child feel calm when things change.
• Visual supports help your child do things on their own and feel proud.

Visual supports help your child feel in control and okay with changes.

When you use these ideas at home, you help your child learn and feel good every day.

Therapy and Services

Therapy and help from school can really help your child. You do not have to do everything by yourself. Many kinds of therapy and services work together. They help your child reach their goals.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy helps your child move and get stronger. If your child has trouble walking or jumping, a physical therapist can help.

These experts use games and fun exercises. They help build muscle, balance, and coordination. Your child might climb, hop, or play with balls.

Here is how physical therapy helps your child:

You can ask your therapist for easy activities to do at home. These can be obstacle courses or balance games. When you practice together, your child learns faster.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps with daily life skills. If your child has trouble using their hands or getting dressed, an occupational therapist can help. They use games and special tools to make learning fun.

You can join sessions and learn these strategies at home. Occupational therapy helps your child become more independent. When you use these ideas every day, your child grows in many ways.

Working with Educators

Teachers and school staff help your child learn and grow. You can work with them to make a plan for your child. Talking with teachers helps your child do better.

You can ask for meetings to talk about your child’s progress. Share what works at home and listen to teachers. When everyone works together, your child does better in school and at home.

Keep talking with your child’s therapists and teachers. Sharing updates helps build a strong team for your child.

Self-Care for Parents

Parenting a child with developmental delays can feel overwhelming. You want to give your child everything they need, but you also need to take care of yourself.

When you look after your own well-being, you become a stronger support for your child. Here’s how you can practice self-care and build a support system that works for you.

Emotional Needs

You might feel stressed, tired, or even alone at times. It’s normal to have these feelings. Taking care of your emotional health helps you stay positive and patient.

Try to set aside a little time each day just for yourself. You could go for a walk, read a favorite book, or enjoy a hobby.

Physical activity, like a quick jog or yoga, can lift your mood and help you manage anxiety. Mindfulness and meditation also help you stay calm when things get tough.

Don’t forget about the basics. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat healthy foods. These small steps keep your energy up and your mind clear.

If you ever feel like your emotions are too much to handle, it’s okay to reach out for professional help. Talking to a counselor or therapist can make a big difference.

You matter, too. Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s necessary.

Support Groups

You don’t have to do this alone. Support groups can give you a safe place to share your story and hear from others who understand what you’re going through.

When you join a group, you find people who face similar challenges. You can swap tips, share resources, and learn new ways to help your child.

Support groups offer:

• Emotional support from parents who “get it.”
• A chance to share your experiences and learn from others.
• A sense of community that helps you feel less isolated.
• Access to advice and resources for navigating services.

You can find groups online or in your local area. If you can’t find one, consider starting your own. Even a small group of parents meeting for coffee can make a big difference.

Celebrate Progress

Every step your child takes matters. Celebrate the small wins, not just the big milestones. You might keep a celebration jar where you write down achievements, or start a family gratitude journal.

Share your child’s progress with friends and family. Use apps like SPARKLER to track and celebrate new skills.

Here are some fun ways to mark progress:

• Plan a special activity or treat when your child reaches a goal.
• Make a milestone chart or scrapbook together.
• Host a family celebration for new achievements.
• Give your child praise, hugs, and smiles when they work hard.

“If you know your child worked hard to achieve an inchstone, tell them you noticed it, and offer a smile and hug.”

When you notice and celebrate progress, you boost your child’s confidence—and your own. Every bit of growth deserves recognition. You’re doing a great job, and so is your child.

You can help your child make progress, even when things feel tough. Celebrate every small win—these moments matter. Stay in touch with your child’s therapists and teachers. Patience and persistence will help you see growth over time.

You are not alone. Reach out for support when you need it. Asking for help is a strong step forward.

• Keep cheering for your child.
• Stay connected with professionals.
• Take care of yourself, too.

FAQ

What should I do first if I think my child has a developmental delay?

Start by writing down what you notice. Talk to your child’s doctor. Ask for a professional evaluation. Early action helps your child get the support they need.

How can I help my child at home every day?

Use play activities, keep a routine, and try visual supports like picture schedules. These steps help your child feel safe and learn new skills.

Who can help my child besides me?

You can reach out to therapists, teachers, and doctors. Support groups and early intervention programs also offer help. Build a team that supports your child’s growth.

Will my child catch up with other kids?

Every child grows at their own pace. Early help gives your child the best chance to build skills. Celebrate progress, even small steps.

What are some fun activities to build skills?

Try play-dough, slime, or blocks for fine motor skills. Sing songs, read books, or play pretend games for language. Make learning fun and hands-on.

How do I handle my own stress as a parent?

Take breaks, talk to friends, or join a support group. Practice self-care with simple activities like walking or reading. You need care, too.

Where can I find more resources or support?

Check with your child’s doctor, local school, or early intervention programs. Look for online support groups and trusted websites. Ask professionals for recommendations.