Every child develops at their own pace.
Still, many parents find themselves wondering whether certain delays, differences, or behaviors are part of typical development — or something worth exploring further.
This page is designed to help you understand developmental milestones, what variation can look like, and when it may be helpful to seek additional guidance.
Developmental milestones are general skills or behaviors that many children reach within a typical age range. They span several areas of development, including communication, movement, social interaction, and learning.
Milestones are not pass/fail markers. Missing or reaching a milestone early doesn’t automatically indicate a concern. What matters most is how skills build over time and whether progress continues.
of kids diagnosed with ASD experience feeding and eating issues
of kids diagnosed with ASD have chronic sleep issues
More likely to have GI problems
Every child develops at their own pace, but certain milestones can serve as important indicators of their overall development.
Limited interest in other children, infrequent eye contact, limited initiation of play
Unusual finger or body movements, head-banging, rocking, strong restricted interests
Severe tantrums or meltdowns, irritability, aggressive behaviors or self-injury
Easily upset by everyday sounds, over- or under-reacting to lights, smells, tastes
Little to no babbling by 12 months, no single words by 16 months
Refusing food, unwilling to try new foods, eating a limited variety
Constipation, diarrhea, reflux, or feeding difficulties that affect daily comfort and growth
Some parents find it easier to understand developmental milestones by hearing them explained in real-life terms. Join Dr. Andrea Loeffert as she walks us through early developmental signs, common questions parents have, and when differences may warrant a closer look.
Speech, gestures, understanding language, and social communication.
Eye contact, engagement with others, shared attention, and emotional regulation.
Gross motor (walking, climbing) and fine motor (grasping, pointing, drawing).
Problem-solving, pretend play, learning patterns, and flexibility in play.
Responses to sound, touch, movement, textures, or changes in routine.
Observing how your child plays, learns, communicates, behaves, and moves offers valuable insights into their growth journey.
Most babies this age show social awareness, try early communication like pointing or saying simple words, imitate actions, play with toys, and reach physical milestones such as walking, scribbling, and feeding themselves.
By this age, most children notice others’ emotions, use simple two-word phrases, point to objects when asked, engage in pretend play, and show physical skills like kicking a ball, running, and using utensils.
By this age, most children calm after brief separations, engage in simple back-and-forth conversations, follow basic instructions, draw simple shapes, and show physical skills like stringing items, beginning to dress themselves, and using utensils.
By this age, most children enjoy imaginative play, show empathy, follow basic safety rules, and adapt to different settings. They use four-word sentences, recall events, identify colors, follow simple stories, draw basic people, catch large balls, serve themselves with supervision, unbutton clothing, and hold writing tools properly.
By this age, most children follow rules, enjoy creative activities, help with simple chores, tell multi-event stories, answer story questions, hold conversations, recognize rhymes, count to 10, use time words, focus for several minutes, write and identify some letters, and show physical skills like buttoning clothes and hopping on one foot.
Many families begin to have questions when:
Having questions doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It simply means more information could be helpful. Developmental milestones are often the starting point for conversations about autism and other developmental conditions.
Autism is not defined by a single milestone or behavior. Instead, clinicians look at patterns across time, considering communication, social interaction, play, and behavior together. An evaluation helps determine whether observed differences fit within typical variation or suggest the need for additional support.
Scheduling an evaluation is an important step in understanding
your toddler’s development. Our supportive team is here to
guide you, whether you need reassurance or next steps.
At As You Are, we believe every toddler deserves to be
understood and every parent deserves to be heard.
Our doctors provide the knowledge and resources you need to
feel confident. Don’t let concerns weigh on you—schedule an
evaluation today, and let’s help your toddler thrive.
We accept most major insurance plans,
though coverage can vary by state and
by your child’s specific benefits.
We work with commercial plans,
TRICARE, Medicaid, and managed care
partners. Our team reviews your child’s
benefits with you before the first
appointment.
