A "red flag" is a term used in the medical field that indicates a potential concern with your child’s development. It's like a warning sign. Let me emphasize here the word could. It doesn't mean your child has or will have a problem; it just means they could. Typically, we grow concerned if your child has a combination of red flags, rather than just one.
Identifying whether your child needs physical therapy can depend on various factors, and it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation. Here are a few suggestions that may indicate that a physical therapy evaluation is warranted:
Is your child meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones such as sitting up, crawling, walking, or running?
Does your child struggle with basic gross motor skills such as running, climbing, or balancing?
Frequent falls, lack of coordination or difficulty with activities that require balance might signal a need for intervention.
Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy often require ongoing physical therapy to improve their mobility and function.
Children with orthopedic conditions such as torticollis, plagiocephaly (“Flat head”) or scoliosis may benefit from physical therapy.
If you're questioning whether your child struggles with understanding or expressing language, there are certain signs to look for. Younger children facing language challenges might display the following indicators:
Difficulty following one or multistep directions.
Delayed response in answering questions.
Repeating what has been said to them.
Doesn’t answer yes/no or simple questions.
Does not attempt to communicate.
Exhibits inappropriate play with toys.
Limited sentence length
Reduced vocabulary
Older kids can sometimes struggle with higher-level language concepts such as inferencing, analogies, idioms, etc. These language concepts require abstract and deductive verbal reasoning and are subtle deficits that are not easily noticed by parents. Some indications your child might be struggling with higher level language skills are:
Difficulty sequencing events correctly
Difficulty understanding cause and effect relationships.
Difficulty understanding nonverbal language, facial expressions, and/or body language.
Socially awkward or difficulty navigating social situations.
Difficulty establishing and maintaining peer relationships.
Inability to recognize the difference between literal and nonliteral language.
These are just a few indicators that suggest your child may benefit from therapy; the list is not exhaustive. It's crucial to remember that each child is unique, and some variations in development are normal. Child development and developmental milestones don’t always unfold in a perfect, linear way. There is a range of what’s considered “typical” development and all kids develop at their own pace. While this is true, there are certain markers or developmental red flags that we therapists might notice that can point to possible developmental concerns that may warrant a referral for early intervention services. Early intervention is very effective in addressing challenges in children, so if you have concerns about your child’s development a physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy evaluation might be appropriate for you child.
If you would like to have your child evaluated by one of our licensed therapists, or if you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, email us at therapy@BenchmarkPediatrics.com or call/text us at (203)518-5738. We are currently offering a free 15-minute consultation to see if therapy is the right choice for your child.
Click here for photo credit
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}